This week a new factor of spectator behaviour intruded on the " fairness " associated with sport.
At the night cricket in Brisbane a South African player running to take a catch had a laser beam shone in his eyes, temporarily blinding him - and causing him to drop the ball.
The incident did not affect the games outcome, but it opened a whole new prospect of urban terrorism seeking to distort the outcome of sport. No game is immune ! A player concentrating on a result will certainly be distracted if a beam of light affects his or her vision at a crucial time of play.
Lasers are cheap and readily available, and in recent times they have been directed at the pilots of incoming aircraft at Sydney airport - and used to harass police helicopter pilots seeking fugitives.
There are stringent laws against their misuse but the cricket incident opens up a whole new prospect of interference in sport to manipulate a result.
Betting is permitted on most sporting games and money can be made if an unfancied team achieves a win. In the hands of unscrupulous people the laser must seem like the perfect weapon to stage manage an outcome.
A flash of light at a critical time when a sportsperson is concentrating may disrupt a golf swing, make a batsman miss a ball, cause a basketballer to lose orientation - or a snooker player to duff a critical shot.
It could even influence turf racing. Who knows what reaction from a horse suddenly bereft of vision as it approaches the winning post.
The one saving grace is that a laser can not be undetected. The incident at the cricket was seen by many and there is a good chance that the perpetrator will be identified - and charged !
It seems that this will be one more hazard for games organizers to guard against. Cameras at sporting grounds and race tracks will need to be vigilant to spot the source of attack - and to move security people swiftly to apprehend the offender.
It will also be wise to move special legislation to make possession of a laser at any sporting function a crime - irrespective of the circumstances - subject to a draconian prison sentence.
Swift action now could nip in the bud this new menace to sport !
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