The U.S. Olympic shooting team made history at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, held at the Chateauroux Shooting Range in France from July 26 to August 11. The team brought back a total of five medals, showcasing their skill and determination on the world stage.
One standout athlete was Sagen Maddalena, a Groveland, California native who earned the first U.S. medal in shooting with a silver in Women’s 50m Smallbore Rifle. Maddalena, a sergeant in the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, displayed exceptional marksmanship skills as she defeated Qiongyue Zhang of China in an exciting final. Maddalena also made it to the final for Women’s 10m Air Rifle, finishing in fourth place.
Vincent Hancock, hailing from Eatonton, Georgia, made Olympic history by earning his fourth gold medal in Men’s Skeet. Hancock’s achievement is remarkable as he became only the sixth Olympian ever to win four gold medals in the same event. Conner Prince, from Burleson, Texas, joined Hancock on the podium by winning silver in Men’s Skeet, marking the first time the U.S. has earned more than one medal in Men’s Skeet at an Olympic Games.
Austen Smith, representing Keller, Texas, secured her first Olympic medal in Women’s Skeet. Smith’s impressive performance in the qualification round, where she tied with Amber Rutter of Great Britain and won a shoot-off, earned her the number one bib for the final. Smith went on to defeat Vanessa Hockova of Slovakia, securing the bronze medal. Smith and Hancock also teamed up to win silver in the Mixed Team Skeet event, showcasing their prowess as a dynamic duo.
Another historic moment came when Katelyn Abeln, from Douglasville, Georgia, qualified for the Women’s 25m Sport Pistol final. Abeln became the first U.S. woman to ever qualify for an Olympic pistol final, highlighting her skill and determination in the sport.
With these outstanding performances, the U.S. Olympic shooting team’s overall Paralympic and Olympic medal count now stands at an impressive 126. As the Paralympic team prepares for their Games, scheduled from August 28 to September 8, the U.S. shooting community eagerly anticipates more success on the international stage.
To stay updated on USA Shooting and their results in Paris 2024, follow @USAShooting on Instagram, Facebook, and other social media platforms. The team’s achievements in Paris have not only made history but also inspired a new generation of shooters to aim for excellence in the sport.