World Archery
International governing body for Olympic and competitive archery.
World Archery (WA), previously known as the Fédération Internationale de Tir à l'Arc (FITA), oversees archery worldwide. Headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, the organization includes 156 national federations and other archery bodies, and holds recognition from the International Olympic Committee.
The organization began on 4 September 1931 in Lwow, Poland (now Lviv, Ukraine), with seven founding members: France, Czechoslovakia, Sweden, Poland, the United States, Hungary, and Italy. Its original goals were to establish regular archery championships and bring the sport back to the Olympic Games, where it had not appeared since 1920. That aim was achieved when archery returned to the Olympic program at the 1972 Summer Olympics.
In July 2011, marking its 80th anniversary, a large majority of the FITA Congress voted to rename the organization to World Archery, or WA. Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the federation announced in March 2022 that no athletes, team officials, or technical officials from Russia or Belarus could take part in any international archery events. Their flags and anthems were banned, and no archery events would be held in either country. In July 2023, when asked about allowing athletes with Russian or Belarusian passports to compete under neutral identities, World Archery requested both national federations to submit personal data for investigation. Both federations declined to complete the requirements, and WA stated that neutral athletes would not be permitted unless the procedure was fully followed. In December 2023, World Archery launched its own OTT service, offering subscription video on demand and live streaming of major events. The organization announced in 2024 that the 2025 World Cup final would take place in Nanjing, China, before moving to Mexico for 2026 through 2028.
The WA flag features a white background with the organization’s logo centered. As of April 2019, 159 national federations and associations were members. World Archery publishes world rankings for each category of outdoor competitive archery—men and women, recurve and compound, individual, team, and mixed team—updated after every eligible event.
Quick Facts
- Abbreviation
- WA (formerly FITA)
- Formation
- 1931-09-04
- Founding Location
- Lwow, Poland (today Lviv, Ukraine)
- Headquarters
- Lausanne, Switzerland
- Region Served
- Worldwide
- Num Members
- 159 / national and other associations
- Language
- English
- Leader Title
- President
- Leader Name
- Greg Easton
- Affiliations
- International Olympic Committee, International World Games Association
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
FITA was founded on 4 September 1931 in Lwow, Poland (now Lviv, Ukraine) by seven founding member states: France, Czechoslovakia, Sweden, Poland, the United States, Hungary, and Italy. The organization aimed to create regular archery championships and to return archery to the Olympic Games, which had not featured the sport since 1920. FITA succeeded in returning archery to the Olympic program in the 1972 Summer Olympics.
To celebrate the organization's 80th anniversary in July 2011, a large majority of the FITA Congress voted to change the name to World Archery (WA). In March 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the federation banned athletes, team officials, and technical officials from Russia and Belarus from participating in international archery events, banned their flags and anthems, and prohibited events in those countries. In July 2023, World Archery asked both national federations to submit personal data for investigations regarding potential neutral participation; both federations denied the requirements, and WA stated it was unlikely to allow neutral athletes unless the procedure could be fully followed.
In December 2023, World Archery launched its own OTT service with a subscription video-on-demand model and live streaming of main events. The organization announced in 2024 that the 2025 World Cup final would be held in Nanjing, China, before moving to Mexico for 2026 through 2028.
Reader's Guide
World Archery serves as the central authority for archery worldwide, overseeing the sport's Olympic and Paralympic participation, world championships, and competitive circuits. Its history reflects a long effort to restore archery to the Olympic Games after a 52-year absence, achieved in 1972. The organization's governance extends to multiple championship formats—Outdoor, Indoor, Youth, Para-Archery, Field, 3D, University, and Ski Archery—each held on biennial rotations. The Archery World Cup, inaugurated in 2006, and the Indoor Archery World Series provide annual competitive structures designed to present the sport in varied locations. World Archery also publishes world rankings for outdoor competitive archery categories, updated after each eligible event. The federation's response to geopolitical events, such as the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, demonstrates its role in enforcing participation policies. Its membership of 156 national federations and recognition by the International Olympic Committee underscore its position as the sport's primary international body.
Did You Know?
- The seven founding member states were France, Czechoslovakia, Sweden, Poland, the United States, Hungary, and Italy.
- World Archery launched its own OTT streaming service in December 2023.
- The 2025 World Cup final is scheduled for Nanjing, China, with Mexico hosting from 2026 to 2028.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is World Archery?
World Archery is the international governing body that oversees competitive archery globally. It holds official recognition from the International Olympic Committee and manages the sport's rules, major championships, and Olympic participation.
What does World Archery actually do for the sport?
It sets standards for competitive archery, organizes world championship events, and coordinates the sport's presence at the Olympic Games. Its original founding goals included establishing regular international championships and restoring archery to the Olympic program.
When and where was World Archery founded?
The organization was established on September 4, 1931, in Lwow, Poland (present-day Lviv, Ukraine). Seven nations — France, Czechoslovakia, Sweden, Poland, the United States, Hungary, and Italy — were the founding members.
Why was World Archery formerly known as FITA?
The body operated under the French name Fédération Internationale de Tir à l'Arc (FITA) for most of its history. In July 2011, it rebranded to the simpler English name 'World Archery.'
How many member nations are part of World Archery?
As of the reference date, the organization counts 156 national federations and other archery associations as members. Its headquarters are located in Lausanne, Switzerland.
More in Archery Organizations 1-15
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