Four-time U.S. Paralympian Matt Stutzman, who captured gold at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, has announced his return to competitive archery with an unprecedented goal: qualifying for the LA28 Olympic Games. If successful, Stutzman would become the first Paralympic gold medalist to win an Olympic gold in archery, a feat never before accomplished.
Stutzman, born without arms, uses his feet to shoot a compound bow with remarkable precision. His innovative technique and competitive drive have made him a global icon. After retiring following his Paris victory, where he set a Paralympic record of 149 out of 150 in the final, Stutzman was drawn back by the inclusion of compound archery in the Olympic program for Los Angeles.
“I thought winning gold in Paris was the perfect ending to my career,” Stutzman said. “But when compound archery was added to the Olympic program for Los Angeles, I realized my story might not be finished. I have the opportunity to attempt something that has never been done before—and I have to take that shot.”
Compound archery will make its Olympic debut at LA28 through a mixed-team event, with one male and one female archer per qualifying nation. Stutzman will aim to secure the men’s spot on the U.S. team through the USA Archery U.S. Olympic Trials selection process. The campaign is one of the most ambitious crossover attempts in Olympic and Paralympic history, as only 12 compound mixed teams are expected to compete, making qualification exceptionally selective.
“This is bigger than coming out of retirement,” Stutzman emphasized. “It is about challenging what people believe is possible. I want young athletes with disabilities to see that they do not have to accept someone else’s definition of their limits. I also want to prove that when I step onto the range, I am not just a great Para archer—I am one of the best archers in the world.”
Stutzman’s Paralympic journey began with a silver medal at London 2012, followed by appearances at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, before his gold in Paris. That victory earned him the distinction of being the first Para athlete to be named World Archery’s overall Archer of the Year. Now, he faces the challenge of competing against top compound archers worldwide, adapting to the unique demands of mixed-team competition.
The LA28 Olympic archery competition will be held at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. Compound mixed-team qualification is scheduled for July 19, 2028, with medal rounds on July 21. Stutzman’s road to LA28 will involve rigorous training, national and international competitions, and seeking commercial partners to support his historic bid.
“I understand how difficult this will be,” Stutzman said. “Nothing is guaranteed—not qualification, not selection and certainly not a medal. That is exactly why the challenge means so much to me. Paris proved that the greatest achievements can come after the moments when other people think your career is over.”
His return underscores a broader message about ability and potential. “This journey is about more than one athlete or one medal,” Stutzman added. “It is about creating a moment that can change how the world looks at ability. I won my Paralympic Gold Medal. Now I am coming back to take aim at Olympic history.”
