To view this site you need Adobe Flash Player and your browser must allow javaScripts. Go here to get the latest Flash Player. Lisa Parsons-Wraith Olympian Kim Rhode Promotes Shooting Sports he 2008 Olympics in Beijing are just — that in 1996 she was the youngest on six double trap gold medals and one interaround the corner and, once again, the Olympic team and now — at 28 — national skeet gold medal in World Cup Kim Rhode of El Monte, Calif., will she’s the oldest. competitions, and a gold medal in both of be representing the United States. Rhode’s other accomplishments include the 1999 and 2003 Pan Am Games. She has Rhode is the most decorated fealso received several industry awards, male Olympian shooter in history. In including the Shooting Industry Award 1996, at age 16, she was the youngfrom Shooting Industry Academy of est U.S. Olympian ever to compete Excellence in 1997. in shooting, and she brought home Rhode’s unflagging promotion a gold medal from Atlanta in douof the shooting sports is one of the ble trap. At the 2000 Olympics, she reasons she has been so highly recearned a bronze medal in double trap ognized. She is constantly giving and in 2004 she earned another Olymspeeches and appearing at events to pic gold in double trap. promote the shooting sports. Rhode Double trap for women has been has been involved with several outeliminated from the Beijing Olympics, door organizations such as the Schoso Rhode has taken on the challenge of lastic Clay Target Program, The Wild going for gold in international skeet. Turkey Federation’s JAKES program “This is kind of like starting all and Safari Club International. Reover again,” Rhode said. She comcently, she signed up as a spokesperpeted in skeet at the 2004 Olympics, son for the new outdoors online comcoming in fifth place, but double trap munity MyHuntingRoom.com, which was her main focus. she describes as a kind of MySpace “Skeet is taking the front row for the shooting community. now,” Rhode said. “It’s an event that “Every person in the industry has a feels all new to me. I’m nervous and responsibility to introduce a person to excited. It’s like going to the Olymthe shooting sports,” Rhode said. “We pics for the first time.” Kim Rhode is an avid outdoorswoman who is preparing all need to do more and get together Rhode also noted — with a laugh for the 2008 Olympics. to promote the shooting sports.” T Reach Out To Potential Shooters hode said firearms dealers are an important part of the industry because “without them we wouldn’t be where we are and able to enjoy our Second Amendment rights.” Rhode thinks the firearm industry tends to “preach to the choir” and that efforts should be focused on reaching people outside the established shooting community. She suggested dealers throw an event to bring in new shooters and really get involved in their community. Since Rhode has just become a spokesperson for SHE Safari women’s hunting apparel, one idea for reaching the non-shooting community is to host a camo fashion show for a local women’s club. Camo is a hot fashion item right now and SHE Safari’s figure-flattering cuts are sure to be a hit with women everywhere. SHE Safari is planning a line of clothing and shooting vests designed with Rhode’s input. One of Rhode’s goals has been to focus on “outside-the-box” programs and opportunities to promote the shooting sports. For example, she was able to obtain a Nike sponsorship, which put the spotlight on the shooting sports and increased their visibility. 24 JULY 2008 R “The Nike sponsorship was a huge step for shooting and it’s just the beginning. Outside-the-box programs are so important and we need to do more of them,” Rhode said. One of her other favorite outside-the-box promotions of the shooting sports is being the national spokesperson for the Kids & Clays Foundation. Kids & Clays is a charitable organization that raises money through shooting events, such as the Kids & Clays All-American Target Championships for the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Ronald McDonald House Charities provide housing, meals, transportation and many other services to the parents of hospitalized critically ill children. On the Kids & Clays Web site, Rhode states, “The outdoor sports are about kids and family, so it is only natural that we support the Kids & Clays Foundation. What better way for the outdoor community to display their generosity and compassion than to help raise funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities.” Last year, the Kids & Clays Foundation was able to raise $1 million through shooting events for the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Getting involved in this kind of charitable event can raise your store’s profile in the community and help promote the positive image of the shooting sports. www.shootingindustry.com