The future of sport — 10 predictions
more than two fielders behind square leg in cricket
An anachronistic law from the 193233 Bodyline series prevents this. Sure, when the players wore minimal protection against short-pitch bowling, it had value but in an age when batsmen resemble the Michelin man? Scrap it.
2Pizza-
sized golf holes to speed up a round
It might make the R& A apoplectic but participation is shrinking in the US so the sport’s innovators are working on incentives. It’s estimated a 38cm cup would shave an hour off a game. Other novel inducements include free clubhouse beer.
3Using
1 Allow
quarterback passes to get the
ball wide in rugby
Proposed by Sir Clive Woodward, it could be a tactic capable of expanding the sport in the American market. It’s potentially more accurate than chip kicks, although hookers rather than first-five eighths might need to be first receiver.
4Holographic
televisions to project 3D action into your lounge
An ad a few years ago had an All Black diving out of the telly to score a try next to someone’s sofa. That’s what this entails. A holographic chip powers imagery at more than 50 gigapixels per second to simulate real-life objects next to the chips and dip.
5Employment
of drone technology
An uber-solution. They could be robotic trainers flying in front of athletes to ensure they meet their splits and could help broadcasters cover more action at cheaper cost in cycling, marathon running and triathlon. They can also deliver
pizza before the big game.
6Use
of the human genome to cheat
Lab tests involving “Schwarzenegger mice” showed synthetic DNA can potentially be introduced to change a genetic make-up and improve athletic performance through muscle growth, blood production and endurance. The next major battle for Wada.
7Skiing
and boarding on the Moon
The Police might’ve been ‘walking on the Moon’ but we could go ‘a small step’ further if astronaut reports are correct that the surface was like powder snow. Think heliskiing without wind and minimal need for a chairlift in the low gravity.
8The
space research of Virgin Galactic might increase inter- continental sports contests
Imagine combined Northern and Southern Hemisphere rugby tournaments; jet-lag reduced schedules for Olympic athletes; more fan support. That could happen if planes go higher where resistance is less, because less fuel is used and flight times and travel costs are reduced.
9Bring
in the service line to reduce aces in tennis
Tennis is so much more than a game of one-serve points. A reduction of centimetres would force the ball to bounce earlier and give a player extra time to return. Alternatively, reduce the size of racquet heads or make the balls furrier for more resistance.
10Hills
and drafting penalties in triathlon
The ITU like showcasing cities for their main events — the infrastructures and logistics help save costs — but they’re mainly in flat areas, meaning races are often decided on the run. Hills and drafting penalties would encourage competition and less formulaic viewing.
— Andrew Alderson