Shooting at the 2000 Sydney Summer Games:

Ralf Schumann was the gold medalist in 1992 and 1996, World Champion in 1990 and 1998, and the world record holder. He was a huge favorite, but he barely qualified for the final, placing seventh in the preliminary round and eventually finishing fifth. Three shooters tied with 587 for first in the prelims – Sergei Alifirenko (RUS), Michel Ansermet (SUI), and Iulian Raicea (ROM). But in the final, Alifirenko was the strongest, eventually defeating Ansermet by 1.5 points. It was the first major international victory for Alifirenko, whose hero was Schumann. Schumann was penalized two points for protesting an 8 score. After the protest was disallowed, the further penalty dropped him from medal contention.