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 ...
Because those lethal airguns could shoot through walls.
To compensate for their stupidity,I will now only operate the manure spreader in a east to west direction.Five times a day if possible.
What NCAA rifle team did you compete on?
Now if they were able to remove the effects of wind and gravity from some other sports, they wouldn’t be sports at all.
FREAKIN GAY.
The team to beat in 2012
So now mimes will be competing in a gun competition?
My mother once said that....once.
-”A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks.” [Thomas Jefferson, letter to Peter Carr, August 19, 1785]
from the wicki-
The modern pentathlon was invented by the Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games.[1] The name derives from the Greek penta- “five” and -athlon “contest”.[1] The addition of modern to the name distinguished it from the original pentathlon of the ancient Olympic Games, which consisted of the stadion foot race, wrestling, long jump, javelin, and discus. As the events of the ancient pentathlon were modeled after the skills of the ideal soldier of that time, Coubertin created the contest to simulate the experience of a 19th century cavalry soldier behind enemy lines: he must ride an unfamiliar horse, fight with pistol and sword, swim, and run.
“London’s Olympic Park toilets to turn away from Mecca...”
Is that from The Onion? If not, Britons are out of their cotton-picking minds. God help them.
“Shooting requires even less athletic ability than bowling. And that’s saying a lot.”
I see you have never shot competitively.
No Onion. This one’s from the Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/3073768/London-2012-Olympic-toilets-will-not-face-Mecca.html
London 2012: Olympic toilets will not face Mecca
Public conveniences are being specially designed at London’s Olympic Park so Muslims will not have to face Mecca while sitting on the loo.
By Tom Peterkin 3:01PM BST 24 Sep 2008
The Olympic Delivery Authority has said it wants to produce an ideal venue for people of all cultures, faiths, ages and abilities for the 2012 Games and beyond.
The Islamic religion prohibits Muslims from facing the Kiblah - the direction of prayer - when they visit the lavatory.
An ODA spokesman said a “percentage of general toilets would not face Mecca” as part of its drive to make the 2012 games the most inclusive and accessible Olympics to date.
As part of the design, special washing facilities will be linked to Islamic prayer rooms.
It is not the first time toilets have changed direction to accommodate Muslims.
Last year, thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money was used to ensure toilets at Brixton prison in London did not offend Islamic law.
Muslim prisoners complained of having to sit sideways on toilets so as to not break code. Faith leaders in the government pressured officials to approve turning the toilets 90 degrees.
The ODA’s Inclusive Design Strategy aims to make the games welcoming for people of all cultures, faiths and ages. The venue will also be the most accessible park in London for disabled people.
Dame Tanni Grey-Thomson, the Paralympian and vice-chairman of the organising committee’s Sports Advisory Group, said: “London 2012 is aiming to go further than any previous host city to ensure that both the Olympic and Paralympic Games are accessible for everyone.”
The London Mayor Boris Johnson said that it was “clear that accessibility must continue to be at the core of our work”.
He added: “I welcome the ODA’s commitment to inclusive design and while I’m determined to provide taxpayer value from the 2012 budget, that commitment will not be compromised and remains a top priority for me as we prepare London to host the 2012 Games.”
If they’re not going to use real guns, then they don’t need real horses for the jumping phase of the competition - they just need two coconuts to bang together.
...The motion to introduce laser guns in favour of the standard 4.5mm (.177) calibre air pistols was put forward last year at a Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne's (UIPM's) congress.
Said a UIPM spokesman: 'Improved safety for athletes and spectators alike was the main reason, but it also makes the sport more environmentally friendly.'
The lack of safety issues to contend with at the Games will also enable spectators to be seated just 20m away from the shooting range, said Karen Myers, the sport's competition manager.
'The shooting range at the World Cup final was about 100m away from the spectators, so they had to watch the action on large television screens,' she added.
The weapon change also calls for specially designed electronic targets, which receive the laser pulses emitted by the gun. A light above the athletes will switch from red to green to indicate a hit.
They will also be able to see exactly where each shot lands via a laptop located next to them, allowing for adjustments to their aim."
When do they get phasers?
OK, I'll bite. Why do these dumbasses believe air pistols are less environmentally friendly?
Actually with a simulated laser equipped weapon, there are statistical optical effects which also lend a certain amount of randomness.
This was analyzed 20+ years ago for the military as they were designing the MILES (Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System) for simulated-fire live training.
The computers attached to the optical sensors on soldiers and other targets intentionally add in more randomness in their determination of a kill, from so-called probability-of-kill tables. Of course, they have the option of not doing this for Olympic competition.
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