More than 100 of the world's best archers are set to take part in the seven day competition is due to finish on October 10.

The event is an officially recognised World Archery international tournament and will use the new scoring format - head-to-head matches with sets - which will be in place at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

There is a strong British field for the event including Simon Terry, Larry Godfrey and Alan Wills, who all competed for Team GB at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

For the women, five-time Olympian Alison Williamson, Naomi Folkard and Amy Oliver will all be in action.

"I can't wait to shoot at an international competition at Lord's," said Oliver.


"The venue is so iconic and it will really whet the appetite ahead of London 2012.

"The test event is an extremely important tournament for all of us [the GB Archery team] because not only is it an international competition, it is also an important exercise in testing out where we are at.

"We are all aware of how much hard work we need to put in over the winter as we aim to qualify and be part of the Games next year."

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

Following the London Archery Classic, 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.

Meanwhile the London Archery Classic will see the first medals will be awarded on Tuesday (October 4) when the men's team tournament takes place.

The women's team tournament takes place the following day and the men's individual gold medal matches take place on October 9 before the women's final rounds off the test event on October 10.

London 2012 will be using the event to test key aspects of its operations including running the competition on a single competition range during the elimination rounds - previous Olympic Games have used more than one range - and the new scoring system which will debut next year's Games.

Tickets have been distributed to local residents, schools, colleges and archery clubs but the event is not open to the general public.

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 Marylebone Cricket Club 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.

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