Hotels near London Olympics: Shooting

Marksmen the world over will gather at the historic Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, south-east London, for the London 2012 Olympic Shooting competition from Saturday 28 July until Monday 6 August. There are ten different Shooting disciplines and 15 medals up for grabs (including the very first of the London 2012 Games, on the opening day), but largely Shooting is broken into three types: pistol, rifle and shotgun. Ringed targets are shot at from different lengths (10m, 25m or 50m) and competitors are required to shoot from standing, kneeling or prone positions. The shotgun events mix things up a little, with competitors shooting at moving clay targets launched into the air from a trap (sometimes two targets are launched simultaneously, making it all the more a test of nerves and skill). Shooting has appeared in all modern Olympic Games with the exception of 1904 and 1928 - although it was not until 1984 that women's events were included. The setting for the London 2012 Shooting events is perfect: the Royal Artillery Barrack's rich heritage dates back to 1716, when a Royal Warrant authorised the formation of two artillery companies at the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich.