The competition exists out of three separate rounds. In the qualification, the shooters try to reach a score as high as possible, with the eight teams with the highest scores qualifying for the second qualification round. The top two teams of the second qualification round shoot against each other in the final, with the third- and fourth-placed teams competing in the bronze medal match.
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Twenty-nine pairs qualified for the inaugural edition of the event at the Olympic Games with the teams from China as the big favorites for the title, having taking gold and silver at the most recent world championships. The other spot on the podium was taken by a team representing ROC, with the United States and Switzerland also having taken individual Olympic medals in the previous two days. Other potential outsiders and medal contenders included Norway, Denmark, India, and South Korea.