Young Chinese shooters impress world: ISSF president

ROME - China's performance in major shooting competitions in 2024 has been remarkable, showcasing the talent and professionalism of its young athletes to the world, said Luciano Rossi, President of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Saturday in an interview with Xinhua.

ISSF held its General Assembly on Saturday in Italy's Rome and celebrated its milestone achievements this year, announcing its future plans and strategies.

Chinese shooters clinched five golds, two silver and three bronzes during the Paris Olympics, Rossi said, showing that they are not only young but also demonstrate an impressive level of professionalism and outstanding qualities at such high-level competitions.

Rossi highlighted the longstanding cooperation between the ISSF and China, emphasizing their successful collaboration in hosting several ISSF World Cup events. He praised China's strong tradition and sustained passion for shooting, adding that China has excellent infrastructure and organizational capabilities.

"We expect that China will apply to host more vital competitions, especially during the qualification years leading up to the Los Angeles Olympics," He said.

"China (shooting) is running very well in the good direction," Rossi said, adding that ISSF also looks forward to China's support in providing professional training and guidance for the ISSF Academy.

Rossi also mentioned that the ISSF would test new rules during next year's World Cup events to ensure a smooth transition for the next Olympic cycle.

Additionally, as one of the ten international sports federations recognized by the Esports Olympics, the ISSF is actively advancing the details of the shooting events for next year's Olympic Esports Games in Saudi Arabia.