Shooting at the Summer Olympics

Shooting has been part of every Summer Olympics since the modern Games began in 1896, with the exceptions of 1904 and 1928. It was one of nine sports featured at the first modern Olympics in Athens. The early years included events that seem strange today: live pigeon shooting in 1900, a dueling event in 1906 (part of the Intercalated Games, not officially recognized by the IOC), and a disappearing target event in 1908 (not a dueling competition). Several contests were limited to military firearms. After the 1900 Games, clay targets replaced live pigeons. The International Shooting Sport Federation was founded in 1907, bringing some uniformity to the sport. Shooting appeared at the 1908, 1912, 1920, and 1924 Games.

When shooting returned in 1932, only two events were held. The number of events grew steadily, peaking at seventeen from 2000 to 2004, then dropping to fifteen in 2008. Events labeled "Men's" were technically open to both sexes from 1968 to 1980 (and for shotgun events until 1992), but very few women participated. At the 1980 Moscow Olympics, only five women competed; the next Games in Los Angeles, which introduced women-only events, had 77 female competitors. Two women won medals in events open to both sexes: Margaret Murdock took silver in the men's rifle three positions in 1976 (a men's event open to women, not a mixed event), and Zhang Shan won gold in skeet in 1992. The current program lists events at the top of the entry.

Past men's events that appeared only once include muzzle-loading pistols, 20-meter military pistols for professionals, and 30-meter dueling pistols. Events held two to six times include 30-meter military pistols, 50- and 100-yard miniature rifles, and 50-yard competitions. For women, the past event of double trap was held in 1996, 2000, and 2004. Mixed events also appear in the record.

The medal table is updated after the 2024 Olympics. In terms of multi-participation, Afanasijs Kuzmins holds the record with nine Olympic appearances.