Olympic Trap is a shooting sports discipline contested at the Olympic Games and sanctioned by the International Shooting Sport Federation. Usually referred to simply as "trap", the discipline is also known in the United States as international trap, bunker trap, trench or international clay pigeon.[1] It is considered more difficult than most other trap versions in that the distance to the targets and the speed with which they are thrown are both greater.
Until 1992, the Olympic trap event was open to both men and women. In 1996, it was open to men only; since 2000, men and women have had separate competitions.
The course of fire is 125 targets in the qualification round for both men and women since 2018. In 2005, the final rules were changed so that only one shot could be taken at each target instead of two in the qualification round. The competitors use 12-bore or smaller shotguns. All smoothbore shotguns, including semi-automatics, but excluding pump-action shotguns, may be used, provided their caliber does not exceed 12 gauge.[2]
Until 1992, trap was open to both men and women. In 1996, there was no women's trap event, and since 2000, women and men have had separate events in the Olympics.
Following the 2016 Rio Olympics, the ISSF created a new event, Mixed Team Trap. The mixed team consists of one male and one female shooter. During the qualification rounds, each team is squadded with two other teams and each shooter shoots 25 targets per round, just as in the individual event. This continues for three rounds (75 targets per shooter, 150 targets per team). The finals are contested between the top 6 teams. Shooters take turns shooting five targets each (1 rotation) for five rotations (25 targets), at which time the lowest scoring is eliminated. Another team is eliminated after five additional targets until the final two teams are left. The final two teams shoot ten targets to determine a winner, for 50 targets in the finals.
The first World Championship for Mixed Team was held at the 2017 World Shotgun Championships in Moscow, RUS.
9.4.2.1 a) All types of smoothbore shotguns, including semi-automatics, but excluding pump action shotguns, may be used, provided their caliber does not exceed 12 gauge. Shotguns smaller than 12 gauge may be used.