Olympic Shooting Is A Sport, Get Over It

As you've undoubtedly heard by now, the 2016 Olympics are in full swing. This year is a bit different in that Olympic history was made by a female skeet/trap shooter known as Kim Rhode. If you weren't aware of her accomplishment—for the first time ever, an Olympian has won a medal in six consecutive games. In other words, she won in Rio, and five other separate sets of Olympics starting in Atlanta, Georgia when she was just 17 years old.
To Kim, we say congratulations on a job well done. Especially since you've had to overcome such great odds to get there with surgery and other complications.
But, this article isn't about that. This article isn't even really about the 2nd Amendment. Not directly anyway, but it can't really be avoided on this website. We LOVE the Second—and so does this Olympic shooter, Kim. But that's not the focus this time around.
There seems to be some confusion about shooting, that has some people scratching their heads. They argue that shooting in the Olympics isn't really that big of a deal because even old people can do it, whereas they'd be past their prime in other “sports.” In other words, you don't ever see any 70 year old swimmers, divers, or anything else that's a bit more physical.

What they're saying, is that shooting isn't a “real sport.” And, if it isn't a real sport, then Kim must not be a real athlete. If she's not a real athlete, then her accomplishment must be a moot point.
Let's dissect this, shall we? Okay, first off. I've been shooting for many years. I've fired more types of guns than the average “gun expert” has. I'm a good shot. However, I'm not Olympic material. You know what? Neither are you. And, neither are any of the other morons who criticize her. She made history. Deal with it.
Anyway, I digress…
In order to be an Olympian…Scratch that – in order to even get to the Olympics, at least by USA's standards, you can't just be in good shape. You actually have to be good at what you're doing. You have to practice, a lot. She says that she usually shoots like 500 shots each day. That. Is. Insane. But, she's that good, and, in order to keep that level of proficiency in her sport she needs to practice as often as possible. And yet, some people shrug it off like it doesn't matter.

Why? Because it was in a shooting event and she's a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment. This is what she has to say about it:
“We should have the right to keep and bear arms, to protect ourselves and our family. The second amendment was put in there not just so we can go shoot skeet or go shoot trap. It was put in so we could defend our first amendment, the freedom of speech, and also to defend ourselves against our own government.”
Kim, you have my respect and I thank you for representing these United States of America both on the Olympic range, and with the media and your correct Second Amendment views. Sound Off Gun Carriers! Are you proud of this lady? Let her know in the comments below. Then, make sure you like our Facebook Page.
 
Cover photo taken from Kim's Facebook page.