European Shooting Confederation

The organisation of European Shooting Championships was first decided in 1952 at the Congress of the International Shooting Union. Successful Championships and regional competitions were organised by the Committee for European Affairs within the International Union. The Confederation was founded as a distinct entity in 1969.{{cite web |title=History |url=https://esc-shooting.org/about/history |website=esc-shooting.org |publisher=European Shooting Confederation |access-date=5 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222184004/https://esc-shooting.org/about/history |archive-date=22 December 2023 |language=en |url-status=live}}

Between 2009 and 2021, Vladimir Lisin served as President.{{cite news |title=VLADIMIR LISIN REELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN SHOOTING CONFEDERATION |url=https://esc-shooting.org/news/read/athletes_from_cyprus__luxembourg_and_malta_complete_the_winners__list_in_san_marino-286 |work=ESC-Shooting.org |publisher=European Shooting Confederation |date=23 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819075918/https://esc-shooting.org/news/read/athletes_from_cyprus__luxembourg_and_malta_complete_the_winners__list_in_san_marino-286 |archive-date=19 August 2022}}{{cite news |author1=Sam Carp |title=Lisin re-elected European Shooting Confederation President |url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/decision-makers/movers-and-shakers/lisin-re-elected-european-shooting-confederation-president/ |access-date=5 January 2024 |work=SportsPro Media |publisher=SportsPro |date=24 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240105154126/https://www.sportspromedia.com/decision-makers/movers-and-shakers/lisin-re-elected-european-shooting-confederation-president/?zephr_sso_ott=D7Cfhc |archive-date=5 January 2024 |language=en}} Alexander Ratner was elected President in 2021, taking over from Vladimir Lisin, who had been elected President of the International Shooting Sport Federation in 2018.{{cite news |author1=Ali Iveson |title=Ratner beats Rossi to assume European Shooting Confederation Presidency |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1114465/shooting-esc |access-date=5 January 2024 |work=Inside the Games |publisher=Dunsar Media Company |date=21 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022090658/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1114465/shooting-esc |archive-date=22 October 2021 |language=en |quote=Alexander Ratner is the new President of the European Shooting Confederation (ESC) after receiving just shy of 55 per cent of votes in a straight shootout with Luciano Rossi. Ratner polled 52 of the 95 votes cast at today's ESC General Assembly in Larnaka in Cyprus. Rossi received 43 votes.}}

Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine the ESC and ISSF had banned Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from their competitions.{{cite news |title=International Shooting Sport Federation, led by Russian billionaire Lisin, bans Russian and Belarusian athletes from its events |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1119943/ |access-date=20 February 2024 |work=Inside the Games |publisher=Dunsar Media Company |date=1 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301205305/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1119943/ |archive-date=1 March 2022 |language=en}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1122147/colbeck-lisin-issf-president|title=Australian Sports Minister believes ISSF should remove Lisin as President|date=21 April 2022|website=www.insidethegames.biz}} In addition, the ESC stripped Russia of its right to host the 2022 European Shooting Championships in the 25m, 50m, 300m, running target and shotgun.{{cite web |title=The 2022 European Championship removed from Russia |url=https://esc-shooting.org/news/read/the-2022-european-championship-removed-from-russia-709 |website=European Shooting Confederation |access-date=29 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301140437/https://esc-shooting.org/news/read/the-2022-european-championship-removed-from-russia-709 |archive-date=1 March 2022 |language=English |date=25 February 2022 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1121627/cyprus-poland-replace-russia-shooting|title=Cyprus, Poland replace Russia as hosts of 2022 European Shooting Championships|date=8 April 2022|website=www.insidethegames.biz}}{{cite web |author1=Tushar Dutt |title=Euro shooting moved out of Russia, Worlds next? |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/shooting/euro-shooting-moved-out-of-russia-worlds-next/articleshow/89853489.cms |website=The Times of India |publisher=Bennett, Coleman & Co. |access-date=29 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226161350/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/shooting/euro-shooting-moved-out-of-russia-worlds-next/articleshow/89853489.cms |archive-date=26 February 2022 |language=English |date=26 February 2022 |url-status=live}}

In March, both ESC President Alexander Ratner and ISSF President Vladimir Lisin were barred from attending the European 10metre Shooting Championships in any official capacity,{{cite web |author1=Duncan Mackay |title=Exclusive: Lisin told "not welcome" at European Shooting Championships in Norway because he is Russian, ESC President claims |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1120953/vladimir-lisin-told-not-welcome-norway |website=Inside the Games |publisher=Dunsar Media Company |access-date=9 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323182328/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1120953/vladimir-lisin-told-not-welcome-norway |archive-date=23 March 2022 |date=23 March 2022 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=ISSF President told "not welcome" at European Shooting Championship in Norway because he is Russian, ESC President claims |url=https://www.indianshooting.com/world/issf-president-told-not-welcome-at-european-shooting-championship-in-norway-because-he-is-russian-esc-president-claims/ |website=Indian Shooting |access-date=9 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327022123/https://www.indianshooting.com/world/issf-president-told-not-welcome-at-european-shooting-championship-in-norway-because-he-is-russian-esc-president-claims/ |archive-date=27 March 2022 |language=English |date=24 March 2022 |url-status=live}} amid calls for them to step aside.{{cite web |author1=Duncan Mackay |title=Duncan Mackay: Vladimir Lisin is under pressure at both the ISSF and in Russia |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1121585/duncan-mackay-blog-vladimir-lisin |website=Inside the Games |publisher=Dunsar Media Company |access-date=10 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407150235/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1121585/duncan-mackay-blog-vladimir-lisin |archive-date=7 April 2022 |language=English |date=7 April 2022 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |author1=Duncan Mackay |title=Exclusive: Calls for Russian oligarch Lisin to step aside as ISSF President after invasion of Ukraine |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1120280/lisin-faces-call-to-step-down-at-issf |website=Inside the Games |publisher=Dunsar Media Company |access-date=9 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308231905/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1120280/lisin-faces-call-to-step-down-at-issf |archive-date=8 March 2022 |language=English |date=8 March 2022 |url-status=live}} Ratner attended privately, insisting that neither he nor Lisin had links with the Russian government.{{cite web |author1=Michael Houston |title=Uninvited ESC President Ratner turns up at 10m European Shooting Championship in Hamar |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1121082/european-shooting-championship-issf |website=Inside the Games |publisher=Dunsar Media Company |access-date=9 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326213348/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1121082/european-shooting-championship-issf |archive-date=26 March 2022 |language=English |date=26 March 2022 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |author1=Duncan Mackay |title=ESC appoints German as new secretary general following criticism of shooting Russia domination |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1122095/esc-appoints-german-as-secretary-gen |website=Inside the Games |publisher=Dunsar Media Company |access-date=9 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513132138/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1122095/esc-appoints-german-as-secretary-gen |archive-date=13 May 2022 |date=20 April 2022 |url-status=live}}

In July 2023, the Finnish Shooting Sport Federation (SAL) called for a secret ballot on the ESC Presidency to be added to the agenda of the 2023 ESC General Assembly in October.{{cite web |title=SAL sai perustelut CAS:n välipäätökselle ja keskeyttää vetoomusprosessin |url=https://www.ampumaurheiluliitto.fi/2023/12/07/sal-sai-perustelut-casn-valipaatokselle-ja-keskeyttaa-vetoomusprosessin/ |website=ampumaurheiluliitto.fi |publisher=Suomen Ampumaurheiluliitto |access-date=5 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208010450/https://www.ampumaurheiluliitto.fi/2023/12/07/sal-sai-perustelut-casn-valipaatokselle-ja-keskeyttaa-vetoomusprosessin/ |archive-date=8 December 2023 |language=FI |date=7 December 2023 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |author1=Philip Barker |title=Exclusive: Ratner threatens legal action after calls for him to resign as European Shooting Confederation President |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1140005/alexander-ratner-esc-resignation-calls |access-date=5 January 2024 |work=Inside the Games |publisher=Dunsar Media Group |date=19 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826054424/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1140005/alexander-ratner-esc-resignation-calls |archive-date=26 August 2023 |language=en}} In particular they complained that Ratner had used ESC platforms to support Vladimir Lisin in the ISSF elections, as well as breaching the neutrality required as salaried staff at the ISSF (Ratner was ISSF Secretary-General at the time).{{cite news |author1=Otto Leinonen |title=Suomi haastoi venäläispomon - Sitten tuli kirje: "Miten näinkin alas voidaan vajota" |url=https://www.iltalehti.fi/muutlajit/a/ba74998f-4202-4f3e-919d-5f5b63373c99 |access-date=5 January 2024 |work=Iltalehti |publisher=Alma Media Suomi |date=30 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830054006/https://www.iltalehti.fi/muutlajit/a/ba74998f-4202-4f3e-919d-5f5b63373c99 |archive-date=30 August 2023 |language=FI}}{{cite web |author1=Liam Morgan |title=Liam Morgan: Déjà vu for Kosovo as sport continues to let country down |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1114770/sport-continues-to-let-kosovo-down |website=Inside the Games |publisher=Dunsar Media Company |access-date=22 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029183419/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1114770/sport-continues-to-let-kosovo-down |archive-date=29 October 2021 |language=en |date=29 October 2021 |quote=A week has passed since the Presidential election at the European Shooting Confederation (ESC). In normal times, it is feasible the vote would have passed with little traction outside of the world of Olympic shooting. But the fact the winner of the election, Russia's Alexander Ratner, is also the secretary general of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) has caught the attention of the IOC. Whatever Ratner, the ISSF and its President Vladimir Lisin have to say, there is an obvious conflict here. You do not need to be a professor of governance to realise that. Ratner is now the number one in Europe and the number two at the worldwide governing body. There is wearing too many hats, and then there is wearing clearly conflicting hats. The IOC declined to comment on the election but said it "is confident that the newly elected ESC President will take the appropriate steps to avoid a situation that could lead to any conflict of interest". |url-status=live}} In response, Mr Ratner threatened legal action. SAL appealed the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which found itself unable to impose provisional measures.{{cite web |title=SAL: "Bakussa odotettavissa myrskyisä ESC:n kokous" |url=https://www.ampumaurheiluliitto.fi/2023/10/19/sal-bakussa-odotettavissa-myrskyisa-escn-kokous/ |website=ampumaurheiluliitto.fi |publisher=Suomen Ampumaurheiluliitto |access-date=5 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019212752/https://www.ampumaurheiluliitto.fi/2023/10/19/sal-bakussa-odotettavissa-myrskyisa-escn-kokous/ |archive-date=19 October 2023 |language=FI |date=19 October 2023 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |author1=Philip Barker |title=Finland appeal to CAS over Ratner's refusal to put elections on European Shooting Confederation agenda |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1140370/finland-cas-appeal-over-esc-election-row |access-date=5 January 2024 |work=Inside the Games |publisher=Dunsar Media Company |date=30 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831030722/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1140370/finland-cas-appeal-over-esc-election-row |archive-date=31 August 2023 |language=en}} No ballot was held at the General Assembly.{{cite news |author1=Tekijän kuva Sami Ikonen |title=Suomi jäi alakynteen kabinetissa – Kohuttu venäläispomo uhkaili |url=https://www.iltalehti.fi/muutlajit/a/3465ac12-2b91-49b6-bad7-41654ee88f60 |access-date=5 January 2024 |work=Iltalehti |publisher=Alma Media Suomi |date=22 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022065608/https://www.iltalehti.fi/muutlajit/a/3465ac12-2b91-49b6-bad7-41654ee88f60 |archive-date=22 October 2023 |language=FI}}

;Last editions contested

• European Championships in all ISSF shooting events except airgun events are held every odd-numbered year in July or August
• Extra European Championships in shotgun events and junior events are held in all other years
• European Championships in 10 metre air rifle, 10 metre air pistol, 10 metre running target and 10 metre running target mixed are held every year at the end of the indoor season, typically in March
• The European Cup 300 m (currently Lapua European Cup 300 m) in the non-Olympic 300 metre rifle three positions, 300 metre rifle prone and 300 metre standard rifle with a similar season structure to the ISSF World Cup in Olympic events
• The European Cup 25 m (currently Walther European Cup 25 m) in the non-Olympic 25 metre center-fire pistol and 25 metre standard pistol
• The European Shotgun Tournament
• The ESC Youth League for national teams in 10 metre air rifle and 10 metre air pistol, in preparation for the Youth Olympic Games, premiering in 2009

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website}}
• [https://www.issf-sports.org/competitions/results.ashx Archive Results]

{{National Members of the International Shooting Sport Federation}}

{{Sports governing bodies in Europe}}

{{Authority control}}

Shooting

Category:Shooting sports in Europe

Category:Shooting sports governing bodies