Date | 2 August 1920 — 8:00 | |
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Status | Olympic | |
Location | Kamp Beverlo, Beverlo | |
Participants | 65 from 13 countries | |
Format | 50 metres. Five-man teams, each given 60 shots Team possible 3,000. Individual possible 600. |
The United States and the Brazilian teams shot nearby each other, separated by a small embankment. After about 15 shots per man, someone noticed that something did not seem right. An investigation showed that the Brazilians were shooting from 45 metres from the targets, while the Americans were 54 metres out. It was ruled that Brazil would have to begin shooting again. The U.S. was given the option of starting over or allowing the scores from 54 metres to stand. The U.S. elected to start over, which was a mistake, in a sense, as the wind had picked up a bit and their scores in the re-shoot were lower. However, it did not change the outcome of the event, which the Americans won very easily.