Kneale guns for double trap in 2020 Olympics

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Kneale guns for double trap in 2020 Olympics
Double trap world record holder Tim Kneale

Published: Thu 28 Apr 2016, 9:20 PM

Last updated: Fri 29 Apr 2016, 12:45 AM

Double trap world record holder Tim Kneale has backed British Olympic champion Peter Wilson in saying that the event should not be dropped from the 2020 Olympics and said he was open to seeing a mixed event in Tokyo.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) are debating whether double trap should remain part of the Olympic programme in four years time. The IOC, as part of its 'Agenda 2020,' wants to have equal men's and women's participation in the Olympic Games and was also keen on mixed team events.
Wilson, who won gold in the double trap at the London Olympics in 2012, has had strong views on the subject and has written a letter to the ISSF, expressing his sentiments. And Time Kneale, who holds the world record in the double trap with 148 out of 150 at the 2014 ISSF World Cup in Munich, Germany, said that it would be a shame if the event was removed.
"The IOC have the Agenda 2020 policy so that is to have equal men and ladies competing at the Olympic Games, which I think is fantastic," Kneale said at the Jebel Ali Shooting Range on Thursday.
"It is really great opportunity for double trap to bring ladies back because there was ladies double trap which unfortuntately was dropped from the Olympic programme. So, it will be fantastic if we could bring ladies double trap back. It is a fantastic event to watch, for TV, it is easy for spectators to see what's going on.
"And it will be a real shame if they do drop it. I know it is only talk at the moment but if the IOC do or the ISSF do drop it, then I think they are really missing a trick," added the 33-year-old.
Kneale won the bronze at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in 2010 and also has a silver medal from the World Championships last year in Lonato, Italy. Kneale is backed by RL360, as he eyes gold in his first ever Olympics for the UK, in Rio this year.
As a build up to it, Kneale is prepping with a few test events before the Games in August and arrived here after a test event in Rio.
"It was great to have a dry run and good to go and see the Olympic facilities," Kneale said of his test event. "Preparations are going really well. I have been using the front half of the year for preparations. We have made some changes over the winter and some alterations in technique and timings and things. And I have been treating these events as not pratice but more training events. So, the second half of the year, I will be looking to increase performance and hopefully try and then win some medals in the next few events coming up this year. The test event was more about going and having a dry run and see what the facilities were like and kind of just be prepared and ready for August. It was a bit of a fact finding mission and I made the most of it really. So, looking forward to getting to the actual Games in August," he added.
Looking back to the day when he set the world record, Kneale said that everything fell in place that day.
"The previous world record was a 146 and you had to shoot a 146 to make the six-man final. So, it was just one of those days that conditions were perfect at the Munich range and everything went right.
"I have recently change the mental approach I had and I have been working really hard on changing what I was doing and trying to release a bit of the pressure I was putting on myself. Everything progressed and won the silver medal at the World Championship. And additional the boost from RL360 has been great," said Kneale, who has also represented the Isle of Man in cricket as well as rugby at the under-19 level.
He was also impressed by what the UAE has to offer and its rich culture and heritage when it comes to shooting.
"Out here in the UAE, they have got great facilities. Obviously, you have got Shaikh Ahmed Mohammed Hasher Al Maktoum who won at the Athens Olympics which is fantastic to win a gold medal and then promoting sports.
"He went on to train Peter Wilson, who went on to win gold at London 2012. He is coaching Steve Scott at the moment as well and one or two others. So, UAE is recognised as a leading nation really in shooting and coaching, coming from Ahmed. So, fantastic facilities here and we had a World Cup here last year in Al Ain. Some of the guys can train there and here at Jebel Ali and Ahmed's range," he gushed.
Shaikh Ahmed Mohammed Hasher Al Maktoum won the gold in the double trap at the 2004 Olympics and then went on to coach Peter Wilson to gold in the London Olympics.
james@khaleejtimes.com

By James Jose

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