Archery is a very old sport, dating back to the days of Robin Hood in medieval times.
Athletes who compete in archery are called archers.
People used to hunt animals for food with a bow and arrow.
Olympic archers use a bow to shoot an arrow at a round target.
The target is only 3.9 feet wide. The archers stand 76 yards away from it. From where the archers stand, it looks about the same size as the head of a thumbtack held at arm's length.
The most important requirements for an archer are: steady hands, strong arms, sharp eyes and nerves of steel.
The archers score the most points if their arrows hit the middle of the target.
The term "Robin Hood" now refers to splitting the shaft of an arrow already in the target with another arrow.
They get no points if they miss the target. That does not happen much at the Olympic Games.
The archer with the most points wins a gold medal.
The US men have won six gold medals since 1972, including both individual and team gold at the Atlanta Games in 1996.
South Korea's women have won seven gold medals since 1972, including both individual and team gold at each of the past three Games.
