The archery competition at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games features one major change from London 2012: men's and women's team matches will be decided on the same set system used for individual matches, rather than on cumulative score.

World Archery, the international federation, said in an official statement this week: "The set system was introduced gradually into international events... as it was found to be more enjoyable for spectators, television and, all around, more exciting.

"The set system (in individual matches) was a huge success at London 2012. Lord’s (cricket ground) was rated as one of the highest venues for spectator satisfaction. Rio will be the first Olympics to feature the team set system."

"The primary consequence, we hope, is that the team event will become more exciting when compared to London in 2012 – as well as easier to follow, because the rules will be the same in individual and team competitions.

"Overall, we’ve seen a small shift in focus - towards shooting that single arrow that matters where it needs to be, every single time. There’s also an element of competitive risk added. An archer might try harder or hold to aim longer, depending on the score of the match.

"The best, most consistent and most accurate two teams will still win gold at Rio 2016."

International teams have been shooting using these rules for the past two and a half years. Many welcome the changes, with coaches such as Brazil's Evandro de Azevedo Franca stating that it can give teams "more chances" to win.

Some nations, however, have complained that it allows athletes with a lower cumulative arrow total to win, thus not always rewarding consistency. Brady Ellison, the three-time Olympian on the USA men's team, is among its most vocal opponents. "It's a joke," he said at a press conference on Tuesday (2 August). "I think it takes away from our sport. I don't know any other sport where you can make a huge detrimental mistake and still win.

"It's no longer 'the best team wins'. It's a beautiful sport and I don't think you should be able to make big mistakes and win. Individually, we're used to it (the set system). In the team rounds there's no place for it."

Become an expert on Olympic archery with our infographic

Marcus D’Almeida dreaming of Rio 2016 glory as Sambódromo hosts archery for first time

Lights on

In another first for Olympic archery, part of the competition will be held under artificial light, as sunset in Rio will be at about 5:30pm. The floodlights will be turned on at the venue at 4:30pm on each day of competition.

The archery competitions in Rio will take place in the sambadrómo, where each year samba schools compete in the city's world-famous carnival parade.

Italy coach Wietse Van Alten said there were differences between shooting under artificial light and in sunlight. "The biggest difference is that the string picture (the way archers see the string of their bow at full draw) is getting bigger, so the alignment of the bow is different. It varies from one archer to another, and it's difficult to train in (exactly) the same conditions as on the finals field."

A total of 128 athletes will compete in the men's and women's individual and team events at Rio 2016.

Each team consists of three athletes of the same gender and from the same nation.

Olympic Games tickets are available to buy on the Rio 2016 portal