One of the world's oldest sports is celebrating a homecoming of sorts this summer. Archery was first introduced in his 1900 Paris Olympics, but it has only been revived in his 18th time since then. Some of the best shooters in the world now practice right here in Central Florida. Central Florida attracts Olympic hopefuls year-round, but Team USA athletes aren't the only ones taking advantage of the Sunshine State's near-perfect weather. This year, the Canadian National Archery Team's leading Olympic hopefuls will be in town. “This weather is going to be pretty close to what we're seeing, so it's great to be exposed to that weather beforehand,” said Canadian Olympic hopeful Eric Peters. Team Canada has already secured one spot at the Olympics, but will compete for two spots at the Pan American Championships, which begin April 9 in Cleveland. And the sun and the sound of shooting outside and Florida has that,” said national team advisor Ron van der Hoff. Crispin Duenas is no stranger to Olympic travel, having already competed in 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020. “It's really amazing to be able to say I've had such a long career,” Crispin said. He says the modern evolution of the world's oldest sport is amazing. “When I first started, there wasn't a lot of sports science incorporated into archery. I wanted more people to do more sports science research on how to make archery more effective. This is a big change and it's definitely possible.'' Look at it by score. “The 2008 scores are definitely not the same as the scores we see today,” Crispin said. Canada's packed training schedule includes strength and conditioning at a local CrossFit gym, five to six hours of outdoor shooting practice and simulation competitions, and doesn't leave much room for sightseeing, but the team is still trying to accomplish that. “I went to two rocket launches, but they were canceled twice, and I just did a little sightseeing,” Van der Hoff said.
One of the world's oldest sports is celebrating a homecoming of sorts this summer.
Archery was first introduced at the 1900 Paris Olympics, but has only been revived 18 times since then. Some of the best shooters in the world now practice right here in Central Florida.
Central Florida attracts Olympic hopefuls year-round, but Team USA athletes aren't the only ones taking advantage of the Sunshine State's near-perfect weather.
This year, Olympic hopefuls from the Canadian National Archery Team will be in town.
“This weather is going to be pretty close to what we're seeing, so it's great to be exposed to that weather beforehand,” said Canadian Olympic hopeful Eric Peters.
Team Canada has already secured one spot at the Olympics, but will compete for two spots at the Pan American Championships, which begin April 9 in Cleveland.
“We have to get used to the wind and the sun and the sound of shooting outdoors again, and Florida has that,” national team advisor Ron van der Hoff said.
Crispin Duenas is no stranger to Olympic travel, having already competed in 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020.
“It's really amazing to be able to say I've had such a long career,” Crispin said. He says the modern evolution of the world's oldest sport is amazing.
“When I first started, there wasn't a lot of sports science incorporated into archery. I wanted more people to do more sports science research on how to make archery more effective. This is a big change and it's definitely possible.'' Look at it by score. “The 2008 scores are definitely not the same as the scores we see today,” Crispin said.
Canada's packed training schedule includes strength and conditioning at a local CrossFit gym, five to six hours of outdoor shooting practice and simulation competitions, and doesn't leave much room for sightseeing, but the team is still trying to accomplish that.
“I went to two rocket launches, but they were canceled twice, and I just did a little sightseeing,” Van der Hoff said.
