Swiss marksman Michel Ansermet has shot the joint highest score in the first half of qualifying for the men's rapid-fire pistol event.

Ansermet, who was only able to compete in Sydney thanks to a wild card entry, shares the lead with Oleg Khvatosovas of Belarus. On Thursday the second half of qualifying will take place, followed by the final.

Ansermet's early success made up for some more disappointment for Switzerland's two competitors in the women's shooting.

Both Gaby Bühlmann and Oriana Scheuss failed to qualify for the 50-metre rifle three position final. Scheuss finished 17th and Bühlmann 23rd in the heats. Poland's Renata Mauer-Rozanska won gold in the event, which involves shooting from standing, kneeling and prone positions.

For Bühlmann and Scheuss failure to reach the final marked the end of their Olympic campaign. On Saturday the two women were eliminated in the qualifying stages of the air rifle competition.

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