The eight-day test competition, titled the London Archery Classic, was used to test key operations ahead of the 2012 Olympic event at Lord's next year including the sporting field of play, the results system and the workforce.

The FITA recognised international tournament saw some of the world's best archers in action with the star performance coming from South Korean athlete Im Dong-Hyun who broke two world records.

Dielen admitted that the Lord's provides the perfect backdrop for the sport and that it will host a stunning competition next year.

"World Archery is very excited about holding Olympic archery in this fantastic venue," he said.

"The athletes, staff and volunteers all fell in love with Lord's and we can't wait for Lord's to become the home of archery next summer.

"Our top athletes have shown what they are capable of and we will now continue to work with London 2012 and Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) to make this the best ever Olympic Games for archery.

"London will be ready and we look forward to a great event next year."

The double world record display from double Olympic and four-time world champion Im was undoubtedly the stand out performance of the competition.

Early on in the London Archery Classic, the 25-year-old Korean broke his own 72-arrow world record in the ranking round has he scored a phenomenal 693 and to beat his previous record by two points.

This was followed later in the week as Im and his teammates setting a world record in the men's team competition.

The Korean team recorded a joint score of 233, breaking the previous mark by two points as they beat Australia in the quarter final.

They had to settle for bronze, however, after they lost out to the eventual winner United States in the semi-final but Im admitted he was delighted with his overall display.

"I'm very happy," he said.

"I did not expect to break the world record but I knew with three arrows remaining that it was possible.

"I wasn't nervous, I just tried to focus.

"This is a good way to start preparation for the Olympic Games next year.

"It is an honour to shoot in a historic and traditional stadium.

"The conditions here were perfect."


The event also saw the new scoring system in action which will debut at the Olympic Games next year.

It was successfully tested by organisers along with the running of the competition on a single competition range during the elimination rounds.

"With eight full days of competition our teams have worked tirelessly to ensure the event has run smoothly and we have taken the opportunity to test our operations at Lord's ahead of the Games," said London 2012 Director of Sport Debbie Jevans.

"We will now go away and speak with the athletes and teams to get their feedback and look at whether we need to make any changes.

"One big difference next year is that we will have spectators right next to the field of play which will enhance the atmosphere.

"I would like to thank World Archery and also the MCC and the team at Lord's Cricket Ground for making the event such a success."

The London Archery Classic was the first London 2012 Olympic Cluster 2 test event after the Cluster 1 test events were successful completed earlier this year.

The next of the Cluster 2 test events will take place on November 23 with handball at the Handball Arena on the Olympic Park.

There will be further in December, January and February before the Cluster 2 test event programme comes to a close with the British Swimming Championships at the Aquatics Centre on the Olympic Park from March 3 until 10.

During London 2012, crowds of 6,500 will be able to enjoy the competition of the competition with one field of play inside the stadium.

Lord's will return to its traditional role as the home of cricket after the Games, providing a base for the MCC and Middlesex County Cricket Club, while the archery equipment from the training, warm up and competition venues will be given to clubs and schools across the country.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
October 2011: American bowled over by archery at Lord's
October 2011: Howzat! Archery on target for London 2012 test event at Lord's
September 2011: Athletes aim for London 2012 spot at archery test event
May 2011: Britain's archers test their nerves in front of screaming schoolchildren
September 2010: London 2012 given official permission to use Lord's for archery