Forums > Social Discussion > Electronics in Sport

Posted: 8th Dec 2005
I think some technology is a help to sport, especially when a referee is expected to make absolute correct decisions while trying to keep their eye on the ball, the players and all the action. The third umpire is a marvel of modern sports technology.

I can't think of any actual hindrance to sport using technology in this manner, of course I'm probably wrong not being the sporty type but if measures can be accurately and realistically made by computers surely it can only increase the level of competition and ability? And always find a winner when it is so close over the line, I mean, there's never truly a dead heat, one person is always first no matter how tiny the margin, if this margin can be measured then let it be measured!

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Posted: 8th Dec 2005
I agree with Dunc.

I'd say it was a hell of a lot fairer to be judged accuratly by a computer that can do the job better than by a limited human's judging which consistently make errors.

How is it unfair?

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Posted: 8th Dec 2005
The 'photo finish' and 'instant replay' have been more of a help than a hinderance. I can trust multiple-camera angles more than a couple of refs...

Now of you want to start using a laser instead of a bar on the high jump, that might be taking it too far...

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Posted: 8th Dec 2005
Well said prometheus... and happy bday btw

I'm cool with the tight time measurements- what is a race after all, but seeing who is first, by whatever tiny amount?

Multiple camera angles etc help a lot... refs do make bad calls on limited information. Its better to have right information, imo.... Having the judgeing be actually 100% electronic is more questionable (even in a third ref sense) I would want that program checked... but perfection is a human ideal and striving for it as well as realizing we can't quite meet it are both important!

(And I do like the idea of having bad judgeing start to die out!)

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Posted: 8th Dec 2005
Some of the problems occur in other sports, like football where consulting video playback can take to long and interrupt the "flow" of the game. (somebody else's arguments, not mine)

Personally I am all for more electronic judging in sport, as long as it is done in a fair way. (not like voting machines) Gymnastics is about technical perfection. There is no subjective judgements in it, I don't think. It's all about straightlines perfect rotations and such like. (pointed toes!)

The only problem is people don't like being told they lost by a machine. Or by a person for that matter. Look at tennis and the line out's calls. That worked reasonably well.


On a side note. When you're playing football, it's only football because of the set of rules you are obeying is called football. Other rules would be a different game. (changing the spirit of the rules, not the letter.) So in my book, any infringement of the rules that goes unnoticed or unpenalised calls into question whether you are really playing that game or not, because you aren't following the rules. (gamesmanship is not the issue here.)

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