Who shoots in a final, and what are the rules before the first shot?
B · Beginner · Finals and ties · 3 of 5The eight highest-ranking athletes in qualification go to the final in every Olympic event, and everyone starts from zero. Finalists must report 30 minutes before the start. Reporting late costs two points or two hits, and a finalist more than 10 minutes late does not start and is placed last.
How it works
- Who: the top eight of the qualification.
- The score: starts from zero. Penalties are taken from the shot or series where the fault happened, and no score goes below zero.
- Firing points: drawn at random by the computer and lettered A to H, with reserve points R1 and R2.
- Reporting: at least 30 minutes before the start, with equipment, enough ammunition, competition clothing and a team uniform for the medal ceremony.
- Equipment out: guns and equipment may be placed on the firing points at least 20 minutes before the start. Cases may not be left on the field of play.
- The call: about 10 minutes before the start the Chief Range Officer calls "ATHLETES TO THE LINE". Finalists walk in one at a time and are introduced. Rifle finalists must walk to the line fully dressed, with trousers and jackets closed.
- Safety flags: stay in until the preparation and sighting time starts.
- Dry firing: only in the preparation and sighting periods. At any other time it costs one point, or one hit in a 25 m final.
- A shot before the first command: a finalist who loads and fires before the preparation and sighting time starts "must be disqualified".
- An extra shot: nullified, with two points or hits taken from the last correct shot or series.
- Malfunctions: one for each athlete in the whole final.
- Protests: made at once by the athlete or coach holding up a hand, with no fee. A jury of three decides immediately and there is no appeal. A protest that fails costs two points or two hits.
- Scores: "Score protests regarding the value or number of shots are not permitted in Finals."
- Cameras: where a final is televised, finalists in 10 m and 50 m events must have a live aiming device fitted to the gun in the call room.
Tricky cases
A finalist reports five minutes late. Can they still shoot?
Yes. Two points are deducted from the first match shot or series, or two hits in a 25 m final.
A finalist does not turn up. Does the ninth-placed athlete take the place?
No. The missing finalist is shown as DNS and recorded as the first athlete eliminated, and "the first elimination will begin with the seventh place".
The monitor shows a zero the athlete did not expect. Can anything be done?
Yes. This is a complaint about the target and not a score protest. The jury checks whether the shot missed or the target failed. Unless it finds credible evidence of a miss, the athlete fires another shot and its value replaces the zero.
A finalist who is not being asked to shoot fires by mistake. Are they penalised?
No. The shot is nullified and there is no penalty.
Why the rule exists
A final is run as a show for spectators and television, so it has to start on time and keep moving. That is why lateness is punished by the clock and protests are settled on the spot with no appeal. The two-point cost of a failed protest stops finalists using protests to break a rival's rhythm.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ISSF rules | As above | ISSF 6.17.1 |
| Mixed team final | Four teams. A team reporting later than 20 minutes before the start does not shoot and is ranked fourth | ISSF 6.18.3.4 |
| Events that are not Olympic | A final is optional | Events table, note (h) |
From the rule book
ISSF Official Statutes, Rules and Regulations, Edition 2025 (second print 07/2026), General Technical Rules 6.7.4.5 and 6.17.1. Effective 1 July 2026. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: ISSF Rule Book (PDF).