Richard McKinney (archer)

Lore & Background

McKinney was born in Decatur, Indiana. He finished fourth in the individual event at the 1976 Summer Olympics before winning the world title in 1977 and again in 1983. At the 1984 Olympics, he finished second to teammate and long-time rival Darrell Pace. In the 1988 Games, he placed sixth individually and earned a silver medal in the team event alongside Pace and Jay Barrs. He also competed in the 1992 Olympics.

McKinney was a nine-time national champion and represented the United States at ten editions of the World Archery Championships between 1975 and 1995. He won the individual title three times and the team title five consecutive times, making him the most successful US archer and second most successful male archer of all time. His back-to-back world titles in 1983 and 1985 were the last time any male archer won consecutive individual world championships.

After his competitive career, McKinney focused on the development of carbon fiber-wrapped arrows. He later served as an analyst for NBC's archery coverage at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and again at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.

Reader's Guide

Richard McKinney's significance lies in his sustained excellence across four Olympic Games and a decade of world championship dominance. His two Olympic silver medals—one individual in 1984 and one team in 1988—place him among the most decorated American archers. His three world individual titles and five consecutive team titles established him as the most successful US archer and the second most successful male archer of all time. His back-to-back world championships in 1983 and 1985 remain the last instance of any male archer winning consecutive individual world titles. Beyond competition, McKinney contributed to the sport through the development of carbon fiber-wrapped arrows, a technological advancement in archery equipment. His later role as an NBC analyst for the 2012 and 2016 Olympics brought his expertise to a broad audience. His legacy is defined by longevity, multiple world and national titles, and a rivalry with Darrell Pace that produced some of the highest-level archery of the era.

Did You Know?

• McKinney won back-to-back world individual titles in 1983 and 1985, the last male archer to do so.
• He served as NBC's archery analyst for the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics.
• He focused on developing carbon fiber-wrapped arrows after his competitive career.