If there’s one thing I know about the Summer Olympics, it’s that hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid. And to prove my point, this just in from London: Laser guns will replace air pistols in the modern pentathlon at the 2012 Olympics. Finally your endless hours at the Laser Tag Emporium pay off. From the London Telegraph:
The new technology will reduce the cost of shooting by two thirds in the sport and the improved safety of the event could mean new venues are used.
“We will have laser shooting for the 2012 Olympics. Based on this new technology, all countries in the world can compete in our sport,” Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) President Klaus Schormann said.
“We can hold competitions in parks and even shopping malls. Safety issues will no longer be a big concern.”
Forgive me if I’m not excited about having an Olympic medal stand in front of Bath & Body Works.
But look, the Prince of Monaco evidently signed off on it, so cease your email protest campaign. You can’t argue with a prince.
The new laser system has received royal approval with Prince Albert of Monaco, also honorary president of UIPM, pointing out the practical benefits of the change.
“They (the laser guns) will also be easier to carry around, and to take on aeroplanes. It’s the way of the future.”
Why do I get the feeling that Prince Albert believes we’re talking about real guns being replaced with laser weapons?
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London 2012 Olympics: laser guns to be used over air pistols for modern pentathlon [Daily Telegraph]
Pentathlon switches to laser guns for London 2012 Games [BBC Sport]
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- Citizen of the Republic of America - Aug 27, 2010 at 2:00 AM
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Pussies… seriously…
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- Phil - Aug 27, 2010 at 9:37 AM
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I’ll never watch the olympics again….
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- Abston, Charles - Aug 27, 2010 at 9:39 AM
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Sounds like a bunch of comments made by folks that have never shot a pistol in an Olympic Sport or any other shooting sport.
There would be differances, but he/she still have to do all the other things that make up a high class Olympic competitor, such as being able to obtain a NPA, control of breathing, correct sight picture, correct trigger control,the mental aspect and all the rest that goes into delivering a good shot.
The point that I disagree with is the comment made about safety. When these idiots come up with these ideas of changing things they seam to always say this or that is safer than guns.
I have shot in the air pistol and free pistol matches and also at the Nationals put on by the NRA and Civilian Markmanship Program. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ANY ONE GETTING SHOT ON A FIRING LINE DURING A FORMAL USAS, (governing body for the US Olympic shooters), NRA OR CMP FORMAL MATCHES.
Chuck Abston
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- Osoosi - Aug 27, 2010 at 11:03 AM
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Again politicians trying to define something they know nothing about.
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- bcbasslet - Aug 27, 2010 at 11:42 AM
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prince gets Darwin Award for inbreeding
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- Col Steve - Aug 27, 2010 at 12:07 PM
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Pathetic.
Pentathlon shooting, all shooting, requires SKILL. If there’s a wind, any weather, etc., then a bullet will move. A laser…not affected by rain, wind, etc.
Pathetic.
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- Rob Stull - Aug 27, 2010 at 1:46 PM
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I agree with the comments of Mr. Abston. Having watched the Pentathlon shooting discipline adapt from a .22 duel course using rapid fire pistols to .177 caliber air-pistols shot over a 10 meter indoor course, to now what is called the combined event (similar to biathlon) where athletes run and shoot– whereby the first person across the finish line is the over-all winner of the Pentathlon (trust me it makes sense and is exciting, like biathlon to watch). The point, as Mr Abston wrote, is that the skills required to execute a good shot are still necessary. The question of reading windage and other environmental issues generally has never been a particularly important one for this discipline (as opposed to many other shooting disciplines where the shooter must allow for wind, rain, etc…) as all sanctioned Pentathlon ranges over the years have been indoors (a requirement for Olympic air-pistol shooting). Even the outdoor ranges of the combined today are constructed in such a way as to minimize environmental influences. Pentathon is a small sport with a rich history and now with the adaptation of the laser, an even brighter future.
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- Charles Abston - Aug 27, 2010 at 4:18 PM
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I would like to make one more comment about shooting sports safety if I may.
There are thousands of competitive shooting matches held each year of all types throughout the world and I would imagine at least millions if not billions of all calibers of rounds of ammunition fired during these matches through rifles,shotguns and pistols and I have never heard of a person getting hurt(shot). Sure,someone might get a hot piece of brass from a pistol land on there bare skin and sizzle a little or some other minor(no bullet involved) accident,but that is about it.
All of us competitors should thank the governing bodies of our sport for the safety regulations that make these sports so safe weather it is the NRA, the USAS, the USPSA or other shooting organization.
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- Chuck - Aug 28, 2010 at 10:09 PM
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This is just pathetic, classic gutless brit. The Olympics have devolved into little girls jumping around in panties to entertain pedophiles, sissies in spandex swimming and dorks with laser tag. Why not let the contestants play with avatars in a Playstation and avoid injury all together. I bet this will be as exciting as the CG fireworks and crowds in China.
Yet another of the 56,248 reasons to watch anything else on TV every four years.
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- Seriously Chuck? - Oct 8, 2010 at 6:23 PM
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Chuck seriously? I would bet all of the money in the world that any “little girl jumping around in panties” or any “sissie in spandex swimming” could beat you at anything. These are Olympic athletes. What have you done with your life besides make the exact same comment that over 30 people before you also said? Chuck, you are a total idiot.
