Prince Harry has announced the replacement of rifles with lasers for the biathlon event at the upcoming Invictus Games, a decision met with criticism from US Army veterans. Critics highlight that snow may obstruct laser beams, leading to performance challenges. Despite these concerns, the Invictus Foundation argues the change is aimed at enhancing inclusivity for competitors with disabilities. As the Games prepare to host over 500 athletes from 23 nations, the controversy highlights the tension between innovation and traditional practices in adaptive sports.
"We had a couple of issues with the cold and some of the [laser] guns just not working. Snow seemed to obstruct some of the targets," said Christopher Bryde.
"For example, I shot perfectly for five laps and then in one lap I only hit one target," added Bryde, highlighting the impact of snow on performance.
A spokesperson from the Invictus Foundation argued that the change was made for inclusivity, as laser guns can be used by a wide range of those with disabilities.
Collection
[
|
...
]