The British weather will punish all but the very top shooters at the London Olympics, world champion Alexei Klimov was quoted as saying Wednesday.
Klimov, 36, took gold in the rapid fire pistol event of the shooting World Cup of London last week, which took place at the Royal Artillery Barracks, the Olympic venue.
"The London shooting ground is hard and testing," Klimov said in comments carried by the Russian Shooting Union. "It doesn't forgive mistakes, punishing those who are subject to distracting factors. Wind, sun, rain and especially cold create additional pressure on the shooters," he said.
His compatriot Mikhail Leybo won gold at the double trap, taking Russia to the top of the medal table with two gold and four silvers.
Vladimir Isakov, a bronze medalist at the last two Olympics, was second in the 10-meter air pistol and 50-meter pistol. Alexei Alipov and Elena Tkach each won silver in the trap.
Klimov will strive for his first Olympic medal in London after failing to qualify for the final round of at Beijing 2008.
