Aug 30 2010
UIPM introduced laser technology at the London Olympics, replacing the conventional air pistons with new laser guns in the event of modern pentathlon. Klaus Schormann, the president of UIPM, made the announcement with high hopes on the potential of the laser technology to revolutionize the shooting sport.
Pentathlon, which is a five-event sport, was about to be removed from the Olympic events as it was turning out to be an outdated sport. However, the International Olympic Committee offered its vote to retain the sport for the 2012 Olympics.
The UIPM has taken necessary steps to renovate the sport and has combined shooting and running in the five-day event’s final stages. The modern pentathlon includes pistol shooting, a 3 km cross-country run, show jumping, 200-meter freestyle swimming, and epee fencing.
Schormann stated that the use of laser guns would alleviate safety issues. According to him, laser guns will minimize the cost for the shooting event as well as add modernity to the sport.