Duel for gold will cap Olympic shooting

Shooting will have a different look at the Rio Olympics this summer.

The International Shooting Sport Federation altered the finals format for Olympic events, starting all finalists at zero - qualification scores had previously carried over - with eliminations that culminate in a duel for the gold medal.

The ISSF made the changes in an effort to make the sport more appealing to younger generations and make it more fan friendly. The rules were put in place in 2013 and should make things extra interesting in Rio.

A few more things to look for from the shooting events at the Rio Games, which open on Aug 5:

Targeting 15 events

Shooting at the Rio Olympics will include 15 events, nine for men and six for women. Competition is Aug 6-14 at the Olympic Shooting Centre in Deodoro Olympic Park, which will also be the site of rugby, equestrian, BMX and mountain bike racing, pentathlon and kayaking. Most shooting events will be live streamed on NBCOlympics.com.

Rhode's ride

Swimmer Michael Phelps is the most decorated American Olympian with 22 medals, but compatriot Kim Rhode has a chance to do something not even Phelps has accomplished. Should the 36-year-old skeet shooter earn a medal in Rio, she will become the first American Olympian to earn medals in six straight Games.

A string of health issues put Rhode in danger of missing Rio, but she came through when it counted, earning the team nomination at the US. Olympic Trials in Arkansas in May.

Rhode is the first American woman in an individual sport to earn medals in five straight Olympics, winning her first three in double trap and her last two in skeet.

Family affair

Shooting at the Olympics is nothing new to Georgian Nino Salukvadze; the Rio Games will be her eighth. This one will be extra special with her 18-year-old son there with her.

Tsotne Machavariani shot a personal best in 10-meter air pistol at the European championships in February to earn a surprise Olympic spot, creating what is believed to be the first mother-son duo to compete in the same Olympics. Salukvadze won gold at the 1988 Seoul Games in 25-meter pistol and became a celebrity at the 2008 Beijing Games when she kissed a Russian shooter on the podium at a time when Georgia and Russia were at war.

Associated Press