The organizers of a shooting competition in Oklahoma have come under fire for promising rainbow flags as targets.

Oklahoma Run ‘n Gun posted a photo on Facebook of two men with rifles flanking a rainbow flag, with the caption: ‘New high visibility targets on the 500 yard range.’

The image has since been deleted.

‘People got really offended and really upset, and people were really feeling threatened,’ Freedom Oklahoma executive director Troy Stevenson told KFOR TV station.

LGBTI activist Scott J Hamilton added: ‘I think for many gay men and women in the state of Oklahoma, we feel as if we walk around as targets.’

The Oklahoma Run ‘n Gun, to take place on 18 July in Pawnee, is a biathlon that combines running and shooting.

The race organizer said the flag was meant to be a joke as people had complained about not being able to see the targets.

‘Alright. I’ll admit. We’re not the brightest crayons in the box!’ the group later wrote on Facebook.