Can Olympic archers and biathletes use prescription glasses?

[Northern_Piper]

I was just wondering - are presciption glasses allowed for Olympic athletes in sports where precise aim is required, such as archery and biathletes? Glasses are an artificial aid to overcome a physical disability, so are they considered the same as drugs in allowing someone to compete beyond their natural ability? or are glasses so common that they’re not considered an artificial aid and are allowed?

[Crimmsy]

I found the IBU rulebook which includes a section on shooting aids. It makes no mention of glasses there, and a brief skim of the rest of the rules didn’t seem to uncover anything. I did biathlon for a few years, several years ago and I don’t remember it ever being an issue, although I don’t wear them myself so it’s not something I would’ve really paid attention to at the time.

[Cunctator]

The website of the International Archery Federation FITA (Fédération Internationale de Tir à l’Arc) includes the rule book. A quick skim suggests that prescription spectacles can be worn by competitors, although something called “shooting spectacles” are forbidden in certain classes of competition.

[Waenara]

I imagine that it would be similar to the use of drugs/medications. Obviously, many drugs are banned in Olympic competition, but athletes can still use prescribed medications.

From the World Anti-Doping Agency website regarding Therapeutic Exemptions:

What is a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE)?

Athletes, like all others, may have illnesses or conditions that require them to take particular medications. If the medication an athlete is required to take to treat an illness or condition happens to fall under the Prohibited List, a Therapeutic Use Exemption may give that athlete the authorization to take the needed medicine.

What are the criteria for granting a TUE?

The criteria are:

• The athlete would experience significant health problems without taking the prohibited substance or method,

• The therapeutic use of the substance would not produce significant enhancement of performance, and

• There is no reasonable therapeutic alternative to the use of the otherwise prohibited substance or method.

[WAG]
So athletes would likely be allowed to use prescription lenses, as long as they can document that it is required and that they are using the correct prescription.
[/WAG]

[trupa]

@Waenara

I imagine that it would be similar to the use of drugs/medications. Obviously, many drugs are banned in Olympic competition, but athletes can still use prescribed medications.

From the World Anti-Doping Agency website regarding Therapeutic Exemptions:[WAG]
So athletes would likely be allowed to use prescription lenses, as long as they can document that it is required and that they are using the correct prescription.
[/WAG]

In other words, extrapolating from what you posted, they can have eyewear that will give them equivalent to 20/20 vision, but not the equivalent of a small telescope, and not use colour tints that would increase depth perception (like the yellow tint common in shooting glasses).

[Waenara]

@trupa

In other words, extrapolating from what you posted, they can have eyewear that will give them equivalent to 20/20 vision, but not the equivalent of a small telescope, and not use colour tints that would increase depth perception (like the yellow tint common in shooting glasses).

Aha! I have found a cite!

On the rules section of the International Sport Shooting Federation website I found this very large PDF:

@Section 7.4.2.3 of the ISSF Rules

7.4.2.3 Sights
7.4.2.3.1 Correcting lenses and telescopes must not be attached to the
rifle.
7.4.2.3.2 Correction glasses, and/or filters, may be worn by the shooter.
7.4.2.3.3 Any sight not containing a lens or system of lenses is permitted.
Light filters may be fitted to the front or rear sight, or both.
7.4.2.3.4 A blinder may be attached to the rifle or to the rear sight. The
blinder must not be more than 30 mm deep (A) nor extend
further than 100 mm from the center (B) of the rear sight
aperture on the side of the non aiming eye. A blinder must not
be used on the side of the aiming eye.
7.4.2.3.4.1 Blinder on rear sight
7.4.2.3.5 A prism or mirror device may be used when shooting from the
right shoulder while aiming with the left eye or vice versa
providing it does not have a magnifying lens or lenses. It must
not be used when shooting from the right shoulder when using
the right eye or from the left shoulder when using the left eye.

[Steve_Wright]

If you look up the FITA rulebooks, you’ll find the rules applicable to blind archers …

Seriously. A lot of the skill in archery involves consistency of shooting - keeping your stance correct, getting the right tension in the bow, and in your own muscles, time and time again … With unremitting practice, and a great deal of self-control, it’s quite possible to hit a target consistently, even without being able to see it. I’ve known some tournament-level archers with very poor eyesight (even with corrective lenses). I’ve never actually met a blind archer, but I know they’re out there.