Lebanon's Ray Bassil misses cut for Paris Olympics trap shooting final

She says Lebanese athletes in Paris 'the pride of our country, regardless of the results'

Lebanon's Ray Bassil failed to reach the trap shooting final. Getty Images

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Ray Bassil said she was sorry she could not bring home a medal for Lebanon after missing out on the final for the women’s trap shooting final at the Paris Olympics on Wednesday

Bassil, 35, resumed Wednesday’s final qualifying rounds in 13th place overall with only the top six guaranteed a place in the final.

Scores of 23 and 20 took her total to 114 to finish down in 21st position overall, seven shots shy of the cut-off.

“Unfortunately, I was not qualified for the trap shooting competition and didn’t reach the final. After five rounds with scores of 23/25, 25/25, 23/25, 23/25, and 20/25, I finished with a total score of 114/125,” Bassil said in an Instagram post.

“I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who believed in me. I aimed and wished to bring an Olympic medal to Lebanon, hoping to make a small positive change in a country facing immense challenges, especially amidst the recent tragic events.

“But that’s the nature of sports, and trap shooting, in particular – success can come down to the difference of just one plate. A heartfelt thank you to all my sponsors who supported me throughout this journey. Your backing has been invaluable, and I am hopeful that next time will be better."

Lebanon has faced years of political upheaval and financial turmoil and is increasingly being drawn into a regional conflict with neighbours Israel.

Iranian-backed Hezbollah has attacked Israeli targets in the Golan Heights as part of a wider retaliation against Israel for its invasion of Gaza. The invasion occurred after Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7.

Israel has retaliated in kind, with reports that an Israeli strike in a Beirut suburb on Tuesday had killed Fouad Shukr, one of Hezbollah's top commanders.

No Lebanese athlete has won an Olympic medal since the 1980 Games in Moscow.

Bassil, competing in her fourth Olympics, was part of a 10-strong squad competing in Paris and she expressed pride in her teammates for just making it to the Games amid chronic underfunding of athletes in the country.

“To all the Lebanese athletes who participated in the Olympics, you are the pride of our country, regardless of the results. We faced incredible odds, trained tirelessly, and aimed to bring home a medal for Lebanon. Though it didn’t happen this time, I firmly believe it will one day.”