Using technology at Tokyo 2020

Irish Sailing National and International Judge Chris Lindsay has been appointed as an International Technical Official (ITO) for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Irish publication AFLOAT reports on how Chris will be taking on newly created role.

The Tokyo Olympics will be the first Olympics to have officials with an eye on the screen, using technology to provide a dedicated back up to the on-the-water ITO team.

Chris will be working with new software that records the sailing live, and watching all the racing from behind a screen and noting potential rule infringements and other issues for the jury. This information is then available if required in a protest hearing or redress and helps to speed up the process.

His selection as a race official for the Olympics was a path paved with commitment and hard work. “It began by getting the basics of Local Race Umpire, then National Umpire and onto International Umpire, all the while putting each level into practice by being active, and in time World Sailing noticed the effort.”

Chris notes how there is no application process; instead “you just get a letter in the post informing you that you have been chosen.”

Recognizing the opportunity, he welcomes the experiencwe. “I am looking forward to seeing what the Olympics is all about, being part of a hugely talented group of ITOs, being in the Olympic Village, watching the opening ceremony and of course the incredible sailing (albeit on-screen). This will be an event like no other.”