Some of the world’s leading archers will take part this week in the 11th Rio 2016 test event – the Aquece Rio International Archery Challenge – at the Sambódromo, the home of Rio Carnival. The event will run from 15 to 22 September and will feature 120 athletes (64 men and 56 women) from 27 countries.

Among the competitors keen to test themselves at the venue for next year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games archery events, are 11 medallists from the London 2012 Olympic Games. These include the Republic of Korea’s Ki Bo Bae (individual and team champion in London and current world no.1), fellow Korean Im Dong Hyun (two golds and one bronze at Olympic Games) and Italy’s Marco Galiazzo (two golds and one silver at Olympic Games).

According to Luiz Eduardo Almeida, Rio 2016’s archery competition manager, one of the biggest attractions for the athletes is the chance to test themselves in the venue’s climatic conditions. “It will be a unique opportunity for the athletes,” he said. “It will be a chance to get accustomed, for example, to the wind conditions at the venue. With two closed sides at the Sambódromo, the wind corridor can alter the shooting conditions for archers.”

Sambódromo is better known as the stage for the Rio Carnival parade (Photo:Buda Mendes/STF)

The event will also be crucial for the preparations of the Rio 2016 organising committee, which will have 593 people working (77 full-time staff, 378 contractors and 138 volunteers) across 28 departments. “All of the operations are very important, especially those involving the competition area, such as the organisation of the tournament, sports entertainment, doping control and results,” said Almeida. “Accessibility is also a central point to be tested and we have (six) athletes with a disability taking part.” 

There has already been one important change made to the venue, with one-metre high platforms being installed in the Sambódromo’s central open area, which is not completely flat. “This guarantees that all the athletes shoot from the same level, ensuring fair conditions, as well as improving visibility for spectators,” said venue manager Rodrigo Rangel.

A double Olympic champion in London, Korea's Ki Bo Bae will contest the Rio test event (Photo: Getty Images/Paul Gilham)

The event, which is not open to the public, begins on Tuesday (15 September) with the qualification rounds. The first medals will be won at the weekend: the women’s team event on Saturday and men’s teams on Sunday. The women’s individual event will be concluded on Monday and the men’s individual medals will be decided the following day.

Find out more about the Aquece Rio International Archery Challenge.