Suggestions to use advanced screen technologies to better serve TV viewers in

athletics

Juha LipponenJärvenpää

Finland

Backround

• Screen information technology in TV sports hasn’t developed much in 20-30 years. We have seen the same field graphics in throws and jumps for years.

• The technology needed to display more information for TV viewers exists already and costs next to nothing.

• In following slides you’ll find some ideas to give detailed information for sports viewers on the performances. – This information is great for both amateur enthusiasts for their

couch speculation and for professional analysts as well• These ideas are free to be used. I just want to see them on

TV

High Jump and Pole Vault ”clearance” viewPhotocells embedded into the stands. Maybe doable with just analysing the image. Clearence measurement displayed on the screen in Replay.

Throws speed and angle viewThrow is measured with Kinect. Throw angle and velocity are displayed on the screen. The numbers are shown in slow replay.

38.7

24.6

m/s

Long and triple jump speed and angle at boardJump at the board is measured with Kinect at takeoff. Jump angle and velocity are displayed on the screen. The numbers are shown in slow replay.

22.4

8.2 m/s

q

Semifinals time qualifying target, ”q”In semifinals of 400 to 3000 m runs there is a rolling ”q” line (or a virtual runner figure) on the screen indicating the speed of currently time qualifier in 2nd heat onwards. Gives information to viewers of what running speed is needed to qualify with time. Also, similar graphics to be used in Decathlon and Heptathlon final runs to actually see the fight for medals live.

GPS tracking of Walk and Marathon runnersIn orienteering, it is state of the art to follow the runners with GPS. In Olympic walks and marathon runs both the TV viewers and commentators are clueless most of the time of what happens in farther back in the run. What is the actual distance/time difference, who is gaining or dropping etc. National commentators can include graphics of the runners of their own nationality on the screen or follow other particular runners.

Leader

John Doe (18th)Closing the lead by 12m/km

2nd3rd

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