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 ...
I’ll consider respecting this kind of thing when they start letting Odinists keep their beards and long hair if they join the military or police.
Wow. Just, wow. I’m glad the God I was raised to believe in is not so easily offended by trivialities of natural functions.
Well the Pentathalom os the sum of 5 events. And the events were chosen for a reason
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.
(From wikipedia so it's true)
Because they shoot a few grams of lead, and lead is well...bad.
Why don’t they just use spitballs while they’re at it?
Far too risky. Bio-contamination and all that.
Nor is gravity...
>>Because they shoot a few grams of lead, and lead is well...bad.
More like a few grains, but yes, you are correct.
Based on the chart here:
http://www.airgunningatlanta.com/Assets/images/ft_qa/pellet_weight_chart.html
.177 pellets are in the range of 7 - 12 grains.
1 gram = 15.43
Thanks for the correction! I normally think of bullet weights in terms of grains, not grams. The upshot of this is that these eco-nuts are worried about the massive environmental degradation caused by a pistol shooting less than a gram of lead each shot...into a target which (I assume) captures the pellet!
"Hey pal, you tryin' out for the 2012 Olympics?"
Leave it to the Olympics to turn shooting into something gay.
You are going to have the great potential for saboteurs in the crowd with lasers to mess up scoring.
Well if the seat is turned away the contents are directed in the opposite but right direction. The law of “Like minded solids attract”.
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