A U.S. Olympic shooter is contemplating the future of the discipline after her second consecutive Olympic appearance.
Mary Tucker, hailing from Florida but currently living in the Czech Republic, has earned her place on Team USA for the Women’s Air and Smallbore Rifle events at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
“It’s great to represent a country that takes immense pride in sports,” Tucker shared with Fox News Digital. “I often express how much I enjoy representing the U.S.A. because it’s recognized as a powerhouse in sports, especially.”
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Mary Tucker, a graduate of West Virginia University, competed in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. (Ju Huanzong/Xinhua; Fred Lee)
Tucker participated in the women’s 50m rifle three positions on August 1, scoring 579 points and finishing in 25th place.
Team USA’s Sagen Maddalena took first place and secured a spot in the final round, ultimately winning a silver medal.
“My career is certainly not over,” Tucker stated. “I believe I have plenty of time left to achieve more.”
After winning a silver medal at the Tokyo Games in 2021, Tucker has observed a surge in viewership for shooting during the 2024 Games, yet she has concerns for the sport’s future.
“There’s ongoing discussion about whether [shooting] will be removed from the Games,” she noted. “It’s something that’s always a concern. It’s vital for people, particularly sports fans, to understand that sport shooting and other shooting activities are quite different.”
Tucker emphasized that “it’s a very safe sport,” despite certain basic similarities.
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Mary Tucker captured a silver medal for Team USA at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The West Virginia University alumna is focusing on boosting youth involvement in the sport. She hopes the IOC and other sporting bodies will advocate for shooters.
“There are NCAA opportunities, scholarships, Olympic pathways, and chances to travel the globe,” she mentioned.
Tucker is enthusiastic about cultivating a new generation of shooters for Team USA and plans to start her own coaching business soon.
“I am passionate about helping the next generation thrive,” Tucker expressed. “We need an influx of juniors to ensure the sport’s growth.”
Prior to the competition in Tokyo, Tucker dedicated five to six hours daily, at least six days a week for training. For Paris 2024, she is balancing her training approach to maintain a well-rounded life.
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Mary Tucker, a Florida native, learned shooting techniques through YouTube videos during high school. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Along with her shooting regime, Tucker incorporates cardio, yoga, and strength training into her routine. Most importantly, she emphasizes the value of mental conditioning.
“It’s a continual process you must work on,” she explained. “Visualization is crucial—understanding the range dynamics, coping with pressure, and mentally preparing for various scenarios.”
While in Europe, Tucker had the chance to shoot at the very range where she competed recently in Châteauroux, France, though it felt far removed from the Olympic excitement.
“It didn’t feel like the Games to me,” she remarked. “As unfortunate as it may seem, while we would love to experience the village and interaction with other athletes, there was a certain tranquility.”
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Mary Tucker with Lucas Kozeniesky at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. (Ju Huanzong/Xinhua via Getty Images)
Tucker, a native of Sarasota, sincerely believes that shooting is accessible to anyone who is eager to learn and succeed.
“I struggled to hit the target when lying down, which is considered the simplest position,” she reflected.
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During her high school years, Tucker honed her shooting skills by watching YouTube videos and practicing techniques before competing locally.
“I always say this is one of the sports, maybe the only one, that truly anyone can do,” Tucker stated. “You simply need the desire and motivation. Personally, I have poor focus, and I’m always moving, yet I manage to concentrate for those seven seconds I require.”
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