So Omega finally came out with pictures proving that Michael Phelps did win over Milorad Cavic in the 100m butterfly. Still, what took them so long? Or better yet, why weren’t “official” pictures of the close finish publicized immediately?

More than ever, technology plays such a crucial role in sports. Ever since we started using photo finishes to determine the winner in cases too close for the naked eye to call, technology has helped lessen all those competitive injustices. All those replay reviews and slow-motion sequences means that it a ball that’s out will really be called out, and that there will be less chances for competitors to steal victories from much more deserving opponents.

But more importantly, technology also helps quiet the doubters and conspiracy theories. While these people play a valuable role, keeping the sporting bodies honest, nothing’s gained if they’re free to make accusations that ultimately have no merit.

The IOC, FINA, and Omega all knew how close the finish between Phelps and Cavic was. They also knew how significant Phelps’ performance was to a lot of people, especially he was gunning to win 8 gold medals and make Olympic history. In these situations, when the results of a competition are very relevant to the public, efforts must be made to be as transparent and forthcoming as possible.

Why give fuel to grumblings that do nothing for a sport’s credibility, especially if there’s no basis for all that speculation? It really didn’t help that Omega was a sponsor of Phelps, and the creation of websites like 100thofasecond.com was certainly detrimental to the reputation of the Olympic games.

The point is that all those gadgets (cameras, touchpads, etc.) used to keep track of everything happening in competitions are there. If the body evidence they provide satisfied even Cavic’s coach, then why was it so hard to share the fruits reaped by technology to the general public?

Post from: The Gadget Blog