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New drone angles thrill, annoy at Games
9 Feb
Summary
- Drones capture unprecedented close-up footage of athletes.
- Drone noise draws comparisons to infamous vuvuzela horns.
- Athletes' ability to hear or be distracted by drones is debated.
Drones are being extensively utilized at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Games, offering unprecedented camera angles for events like downhill skiing and luge. These camera-carrying drones fly close to athletes, capturing dramatic footage previously unseen in Olympic coverage. This innovation has sparked debate among viewers, with social media platforms showing a split between those admiring the unique perspectives and those put off by the noticeable drone noise.
The audible whirring of the drone blades has drawn comparisons to the infamous vuvuzela horns from the 2010 football World Cup. This has led to discussions about whether the sound might be affecting athletes as they compete. While some coaches indicate that athletes are not hearing or being impacted by the drones, others, like two-time Olympic gold medallist Lizzy Yarnold, express concern that even minor changes could disrupt an athlete's mental focus during critical moments.
