Olympics question. Why don't men and women compete against each other in Archery? Both have...

[masmdu]

Both men's and women's archery targets have the same specifications and are shot from the same distance.

Why should they not compete against each other? Does strength provide an advantage when the distance and target are the same for both men and women?

[Electric Monk]

1. Pull strength can affect the trajectory arc. Better question, why not co-ed 10m air pistol shooting?

or air rifle?

http://www.london2012.com/shooting/schedule-and-results/

[thelordofhell]

2. I believe the men traditionally use stronger compound bows than the women do

A lot of short range tourneys are open to all sexes............But as for the Olympics........

[mathematic]

3. Archery is one of the sports where men and women could compete

I was trying to look up the difference between men and women's archery last week. I don't think there's any in the Olympic format. 70m to the same target. There are other standard competition formats that have the men shoot longer distances.

Nevertheless, from just my sense after watching tons of archery last week, the competition would end up being 75/25 or so men. With mostly men advancing in the rounds. The winner could be either male or female, since the very best performances of the very best women are just as good as the men's. The women tend to be less consistent so getting to the final would be the hardest part.

A gender difference in strength means men use heavier bows. From what I understand, that means the arrows go faster and thus are less affected by weather conditions. I don't know if there are significant gender differences in the muscle control or aiming skills required for archery.

I think the reason they have both men's and women's is to ensure equal participation. The viewer shouldn't interpret this division to indicate a competitive difference between the champions.

[SheilaT]

4. On the up side, by having separate

men's and women's competitions, a man and a woman will each win the various medals.

[Travis_0004]

5. I think strength does have an advantage. I think they could compete together in skeet shooting.