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Reading Time: 10 minutesLast Updated on December 30, 2025 by Paul Clayton
Table of Contents
What Kind of Bows Are Used in the Olympics?
Key Takeaways
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- Significant Rule Change for 2028: For the first time since 1972, a new bow style is joining the program. Compound bows will debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in a dedicated Mixed Team event.
- The Recurve Standard: The Olympic recurve bow has historically been the only bow permitted. Its unique “re-curve” design (tips curving away from the archer) maximizes power and efficiency for target competition.
- Why Compound Bows Were Previously Excluded: * Excess Power: Designed for hunting, compound bows use a “cam” (pulley) system that generates high kinetic energy, which is unnecessary for target shooting.
- Level Playing Field: Recurve bows ensure fair play across nations. Compound bows are highly popular in the West (North America/Europe) but less common in Asia and Africa.
- Why Compound is Being Added Now:
- Heritage: The compound bow was invented in the U.S., making the LA 2028 games a perfect fit.
- Proven Success: Its popularity in the World Cup and other major games (Asian/Pan American) proved its spectator appeal.
- Technical Accessories: Olympic bows utilize specialized gear, including:
- Stabilizers: Rods that balance weight and absorb post-shot vibration.
- Sights & Clickers: Tools used to line up shots and signal exactly when an arrow is ready for release.
- Equipment Specs: Archers prefer brands such as Hoyt Archery and use takedown bows (limbs can be unscrewed). Arrows are made of an aluminum/carbon blend for maximum straightness.
- Qualifying Process: Spots are awarded to countries (National Olympic Committees) rather than individuals. Athletes must meet a Minimum Qualification Score (MQS) and usually pass through rigorous National Trials.
A major change is coming for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics: for the first time, compound bows will be included in the Olympic program! They will compete in a dedicated Mixed Team event, alongside the traditional recurve events.
The Olympics, a grand stage for global sports, showcase the best archery skills using the Olympic recurve bow.
They were the only type of bows athletes are allowed to use under Olympic rules until 2028; they were the standard for Olympic archery equipment. The recurve bow is so named because of its unique shape; the central parts curve towards the archer, while the ends curve away.
This design increases the bow’s power and efficiency, making it an optimal choice for competition. This powerful and skill-demanding equipment truly encapsulates the spirit of the Olympics – strength, precision, and discipline.
If you are a fan of archery, you already know that it is one of the most celebrated and oldest sports. With this legacy, the game is also included in the Olympics. If you have watched the Summer Olympics, you would know that the archers competing have similar bows.
If you’ve been paying attention, you may be wondering why there is a reason behind this. The bow that these archers used is called the recurve bow. It is the only bow permitted for use in the Olympics.
Read ahead to find out more about these bows.
Recurve Bows and Why They Are Used
Many archers in the Olympics use the Hoyt Prodigy Recurve Bow 
as their bow of choice. In the past, there have been efforts to bring compound bows back to the Olympics. These, however, have not been successful.
Olympic archery has a rich history and has evolved from recurve bows to become the bow of choice. You may be surprised that recurve bows are still used in the Olympics today.
You may also ask why compound bows were not used in the Olympics. This is especially true, given that compound bows now have built-in cams that make them more effective.
You may believe that the exclusionary rule is rooted in tradition. However, it is much more than this and has some sound logic. Read on to learn why recurve bows are used in the Olympics.
Compound Bows Have Excess Power
One of the main reasons compound bows were rejected in the Olympics is that they are too powerful. These have been designed for hunting. This is mainly because hunting requires you to target a moving figure. A compound bow makes it easier to kill a moving figure.
Recurve bows do have a significant amount of power as well. There are recurve bows on the market with a draw weight of about 70 pounds, which can be quite powerful. This is the same power used by a bow hunter to take down a medium-sized deer.
The difference is in the cam of the compound bows. This adds substantial kinetic energy and speed that a recurve bow cannot match. For an archer performing at the Olympics, this power is unnecessary.
The idea here is to get an arrow to stick to a target. This is not the case for hunters, who must pierce an animal’s heart. When used in the Olympics, a recurve bow does not need to be drawn more than about 40-50 pounds.
Soon, compound bows will no longer be used in the Olympics. It may, however, happen someday, but the likelihood at present is close to negligible.
Allows Fair Play and Levels the Playing Field
Ensuring fair play for each player participating in the Olympics is not a cakewalk. The Olympics are popular for hosting elite teams from around the world. It takes significant effort to enable all of these teams to compete in a fair environment.
The idea is to prevent any single team from winning due to an unfair advantage. This also relates to the program’s consistently high television ratings.
A single team that emerges victorious may prove rather dull. Hence, the playing field is kept level by organizers. Furthermore, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, players want to ensure the playing field is level. 
They want to ensure they are not at a disadvantage.
In a historic decision announced in April 2025, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially approved the addition of compound archery to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. This marks the first time a new bow style has been added to the Olympic program since 1972.
Why are compound bows being added?
There are several strategic reasons for this inclusion:
Host Country Roots: The compound bow was invented in the United States in the 1960s. Adding it for a Games hosted in Los Angeles is a nod to the sport’s American heritage and its massive popularity in North America.
Demonstrated Success: Compound archery has been a staple in major international events, including the World Games, Asian Games, and Pan American Games. Its success as a high-precision spectator sport proved it was ready for the Olympic stage.
Equality in the Sport: For years, World Archery (the governing body) has treated recurve and compound archers as equals in World Cup prize money and promotion. Bringing them to the Olympics is the final step in providing global visibility for these athletes.
Are they included in all events?
No. Unlike recurve archery, which features five different medal events, compound archery will have a very limited debut.
The Only Compound Event:
There will be just one medal event for compound bows: the Mixed Team competition (one man and one woman per team).
Athlete Quota:
Only 12 mixed teams (24 athletes total) will qualify for this debut.
Recurve remains dominant:
Recurve archers will still compete in all five of their traditional categories: Men’s Individual, Women’s Individual, Men’s Team, Women’s Team, and Mixed Team.
LA 2028 Olympic Archery Comparison
| Feature | Recurve Archery | Compound Archery |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Medals | 5 | 1 |
| Events | Individual (M/W), Team (M/W), Mixed Team | Mixed Team only |
| Shooting Distance | 70 Meters | 50 Meters |
| Target Size | 122 cm face (full 10 rings) | 80 cm face (6-ring “spot”) |
| Scoring System | Set System (points per set) | Cumulative Score (total points) |
| Max Draw Weight | No limit (typically 40–50 lbs) | 60 lbs (regulated limit) |
| Optical Sights | No magnification allowed | Magnification & Levels allowed |
| Release Method | Finger release (tab) | Mechanical release aid |
What Should You Know About the Recurve Bow for the Olympics?
The recurve bows used in the Olympics have various characteristics and parts that make them comparable to complex weapons. This is because they come with accessories that improve efficiency and enhance their appearance.
Here are some of the accessories and parts of a bow. The accessory you are likely to notice is the stabilizer. You will see this on either side of the bow. These are long metal rods that come out of the frame of the bow.
A few archers may choose to have more than one stabilizer attached to their bows. Stabilizers add much-needed balance to a bow’s body. They work to equalize the weight of the bow in the hands of an archer.
Hence, an archer will not have to worry about the weight of the bow when they are focusing on their aim. Further, when the arrow is released, there will be shocks and vibrations. This can cause numbness in the archer’s arms.
The stabilizer will absorb all of these and reduce any numbness the archer may experience. To absorb shock, the bows are also equipped with a plunger. This is right at rest, where the arrow is placed before it is released.
Many archers in the Olympics also choose a sight in their bow setup. They are pieces of equipment that allow an archer to line up their shot. These are often circular pieces of plastic or metal with internal instruments that enable them to perform their function.
If you want to spot a bow sight, look at the frame of the bow. 
This is situated right above the riser and will fall parallel to the head of the archer. Alongside this sight, you will also find a peep sight.
This is a small ring made of plastic or metal. It is inserted into the string of the archer’s bow so that the archer can look through each of these so that they can be lined up. With this, they can aim the arrow at the right target.
The final accessory that many Olympic archers use is called the clicker. You will see that this accessory is attached to the arrow instead of the bow itself. This clicker is spring-loaded and produces a clicking sound when the arrow is fully pulled back.
This noise is essential to indicate to the archer that the arrow is now ready to be released. You can now go ahead and watch each archer and their bow in the Olympic Games keenly. With this, you can identify these accessories on your own.
Some Popular Models of the Recurve Bow
If you are a regular watcher of the Olympics, you would have noted that most archers often use a specific bow. The Olympic authorities have not enforced the bow brands that must be used.
However, archers prefer a few familiar brands. This has been noticed across players and even countries. The most important parts of any bow are its riser and its limbs. These are specially manufactured by a few common manufacturers.
Furthermore, you will find that today’s bows are generally takedown recurves. This means that the limbs of the bow can be detached from the riser. This can be done by unscrewing. Hence, archers do have the choice of picking the parts of their choice.
Despite this, they prefer products from Hoyt Archery. This is also the popular choice among most Olympic archery medalists. Archers tend to use Hoyt Archery for both their risers and bows.
If you are opting for risers, you can choose the Hoyt Prodigy RX or the Hoyt GMX. These are popular choices and accounted for nearly 20% and 16% of the equipment, respectively, seen at the Olympics.
Hoyt Archery has been making these bows since 1931, and they are a trusted option for archers everywhere. Note that this is just three decades after archery was introduced to the Olympics.
You will also find that archery is a good competition to watch, with difficult odds that make it enjoyable. If you have loved archery for a long time or want to be introduced to it, these details about the bow add to the intricate details of the game.
What material are the arrows used in Olympic archery?
The best spine uniformity, straightness, and weight tolerance are delivered by its aluminum/carbon design, enabling these champions to triumph at the highest level of archery competition.
What distinguishes a hunting bow 
from an Olympic bow?
Recurves used for hunting typically have smaller risers. The typical length of an Olympic-style riser is 23 to 27 inches. You now have a wider field of view, allowing you to take photographs from a greater distance.
Typically, the riser on a hunting recurve is 15-17 inches, which is ideal for close shots.
How hefty are the arrows used in Olympic Archery?
Olympic arrows can range in weight depending on the draw weight of the bow. The weight of the arrows themselves typically ranges from 400 to 500 grains. The weight of X10 shafts with 450 spines is just over 8 grains.
For Olympic archers of the highest caliber, the weight will be close to 365 grains.
How to Qualify for the Olympic Games in Archery
Earning the Quota Spot
Olympic spots are generally awarded to the National Olympic Committee (NOC), not the specific athlete who wins them. There are 128 spots (64 men, 64 women). Countries earn these through:
World Championships: The primary event where the top-finishing teams (usually the top 3) and specific high-ranking individuals secure spots for their nations.
Continental Games/Qualifiers: Events such as the Pan American Games or the Asian Games allow regions to secure spots.
Final Qualification Tournament (FQT): A “last chance” event held shortly before the Olympics for countries that haven’t qualified yet.
World Rankings: Some final spots are awarded to the highest-ranked teams that haven’t secured a place through other tournaments.
Host Nation & Universality: The host country (e.g., France in 2024) automatically receives a whole team of 3 men and 3 women. A few “Universality” spots are also given to countries with developing archery programs to ensure global representation.
Minimum Qualification Score (MQS)
Even if a country earns a spot, the individual athlete must prove they are skilled enough to compete. They must achieve a Minimum Qualification Score in a sanctioned 72-arrow, 70-meter round:
Men: 640 points
Women: 610 points
National Selection (For the Athlete)
Once a country has its quota spots, it decides which athletes to send.
Olympic Trials: Countries like the United States hold multi-stage trials where archers compete head-to-head over several months. The archers with the highest cumulative points at the end of the trials are nominated to the Olympic team.
Discretionary Selection: Some countries may use a combination of trial results and “coach’s picks” based on international experience and performance consistency.
A recurve bow is the official bow for archery at the Olympics. This has been a tradition that has been followed for a long. However, the recurve bow is also used so that the competition between archers is fair.
We have also highlighted all of the essential accessories and parts of the bow that add to the archer’s experience. These help you understand the intricate details of the bow, making you a more informed and engaged viewer.
By making Olympic archery a priority, you will be able to make the best of the games.
