The competition got underway at the Sport Club for the Disabled in Szczecin, Poland, on Thursday (April 12), with Josh Olson and Eric Hollen (pictured left, standing on left and sitting, respectively, alongside Foth) competing for the US.

However, the event marks the only World Cup of the year for both athletes, so affording it particular significance.

It is, therefore, a crucial test ahead of this summer's Paralympic Games in London – and Foth is eager for the pair to test themselves against the world's best.

"We're in our ramp-up phase with a focus on being at our very best for London," he said.

"This will allow us to gauge whether or not the scores they shoot in competition match the type of hard work and preparation they are putting in on a daily basis."

Sergeant First Class Olson is competing in the R3 class, a mixed-gender age rifle prone event, before heading to London for the World Cup where he will observe his rivals at the Royal Artillery Barracks where this summer's Paralympics will take place.

The 32-year-old is poised to be the first active-duty service member to compete at the Paralympics; he was struck with a rocket-propelled grenade while on duty in Iraq nine years ago and subsequently received a Purple Heart in honour of his service.


Olson will be hoping to build on his sixth place finish at last year's World Cup in Sydney.

Hollen – the father of Payten Hollen, an aspiring Olympic skier – will be taking part in the men's air pistol event in Poland.

A two-times US shooting Paralympic athlete of the year, the 47-year-old made history with his performance at last year's World Cup where he won a silver medal and a quota place for his country at London 2012.

At Beijing 2008 the US claimed two Paralympic shooting gold medals: Walton Eller (pictured above) claimed the double trap title and Vincent Hancock was victorious in the skeet.

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