Single Arrow Shootoffs: Where in the World is World Archery

IOC on the left .. WA on the right

World Archery’s HQ can be found in Le Maison du Sport International, Avenue de Rhodanie 54, 1007 Lausanne, Switzerland. They took up residence back in November 1996, after decades of the headquarters essentially being wherever the President’s suitcase happened to be.

World Archery's offices are just an 11 minute walk (about 930 metres) from the IOC headquarters. Strangely enough, there is also a buttload of sports in that same complex in Lausanne, Switzerland. (34 organisations and 13 sports related firms - Why on earth should that be I wonder? ;o)

You can't help wondering if compound finally made it into the Olympics because some World Archery executive wandered over one morning carrying a box of biscuits and said, "We made these ourselves. Fancy adding compound to Los Angeles 2028?"*

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* Before anyone (including the IOC) starts drafting strongly worded epistles ... yes, we're joking about the biscuits. The negotiations, however, weren't entirely fictional. Compound was initially left out of the LA28 programme before later being approved following reported behind-the-scenes discussions between World Archery and the IOC. These resulted in compound making the 2028 roster of sports. Whether shortbread, chocolate digestives or home made brownies played a decisive role remains unconfirmed.