At this rate they'll be competing with Nintendos by the 2020 games.
Posted on 02/26/2011 11:18:18 AM PST by Abin Sur
Laser guns will replace traditional air pistols in the modern pentathlon at the 2012 London Olympics after a successful trial at the inaugural Youth Olympics.
The technology will reduce the cost of the shooting element of the five-event sport by two thirds, while the improved safety could mean new venues are used.
Klaus Schormann, president of world governing body the UIPM, said: "We will have laser shooting for London.
"We can now hold competitions in parks and shopping malls."
Schormann, who is in Singapore for the 14-day Youth Olympics, which finish on Thursday, added: "Based on this new technology, all countries in the world can compete in our sport.
"Safety issues will no longer be a big concern."
The new technology, which first appeared at June's World Cup final in Moscow after years of testing, has also been backed by the sport's honorary president, Prince Albert of Monaco.
"It is a great improvement to the sport," he stated.
"They [the laser guns] will be easier to carry around and to take on aeroplanes. It's the way of the future."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
At this rate they'll be competing with Nintendos by the 2020 games.
This is absolutely stupid.
Weak. What about the biathlon?
The Olympics is going to be even more comical once they switch to foam-rubber swords in fencing and simulated water in swimming (someone might drown).
Windage is no longer a factor.
They should only use lasers if they can burn through 10” of steel in one second.
Wi-lympics
"It's called a 'La-Ser.'"
If there’s no projectile,then it’s not a shooting competition.I don’t care what these new world weenies say.
Exactly, haha. They could just save time and switch to competitive Avatar watching even.
Neither is kick from discharging the weapon. Small as an air gun is in the first place.
Yes. It isn’t shooting without the effects of wind and gravity.
There are many more variables to be considered, controlled and adjudicated in the mind of the shooter when you're actually sending a pellet from Point A to Point B as precisely as possible.
Laser tag merely tests one's abilities to align the sights. In real marksmanship, that's merely the starting point.
They should also start throwing virtual discus, shotput and simulated javelin. This way they could hold competitions inside without safety concerns.
It is. But not quite as stupid as this: London's Olympic Park toilets to turn away from Mecca out of respect for Islamic law
I’d like to see the virtual Hammer Throw competition.
Would the competitors still yell as loud?
Maybe the muslim attendees could use a laser instead of actually making a dump.
Its a pointing competition.
(1) This move is stupid. What next, laser archery?
(2) I’ve never thought shooting should be an Olympic event. It’s not an athletic pursuit, it’s a skill.
Where would shooting fall on this scale.
1-——50-——100
1: Bowling - almost 100% skill with out any athletic ability needed.
50: Basketball - a 50/50 mix of skill and athletic ability needed to compete.
100: Marathon Running - almost 100% athletic ability. Almost no skill required.
Shooting requires even less athletic ability than bowling. And that’s saying a lot.
I see your point but I think the problem is these marksmen are the best. They have worked there whole lives at being a good shot. The olympics are changing a sport. Imagine telling golfers they now have to use a baseball bat as a driver. People have lost damn minds..
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