Swimming Victoria announces partnership with Hawk-Eye to deliver world first competition video review technology

Swimming Victoria has announced a partnership with Hawk-Eye Innovations - the sports technology leader in officiating and tracking technologies – that has will see the introduction of the world’s first video review technology for the sport during the 2022 swimming season.

Beginning with the 2022 Victorian Age Long Course Championships which ran from 10th to 14th March, Swimming Victoria and Hawk-Eye’s collaboration has seen the use of proof of concept (PoC) to ensure fair competition in swimming.

This is being achieved through Hawk-Eye’s latest SMART (Synchronised Multi Angle Replay Technology) Video Review system, giving Swimming Victoria a new methodology for assuring fair competition.

The aim of the partnership is to improve the efficiency and automation of officiating and timing in swimming. Currently, certain events require around 50 officials for an event to take place.

The system in place is made up of a permanent nine camera system (four under water and five above water), all feeding back to the onsite review booth. The review booth has a four-monitor setup, two of which were used to replay and select angles for analysis, whilst the other two displayed 'always live' angles of the pool to avoid missing any action.

The system aims to firstly improve the efficiency and automation of the inspector of turn while also reducing the need for timekeepers.

Commenting on the technology, Ben Crossing, Chief Operating Officer of UK-based Hawk-Eye, stated “we are always excited at Hawk-Eye to push the boundaries of sports technology and officiating.

“Working with Swimming Victoria to implement our new Swimming Video Review system is another great example of that, and we are excited to be partnering with them to revolutionise the way swimming is officiated.”

Explaining that the innovation would not only make officiating “fairer, better and more efficient” but it would also provide services for swimmers and coaches “that we haven’t been able to do before hand”, Swimming Victoria Chief Executive, Jason Hellwig added “it’s going to be amazing and will revolutionise the sport (and) Swimming Victoria is thrilled to be partnering with Hawk-Eye Innovations to bring this world leading sports technology to swimming. Their innovations in officiating and video review systems will change the way we run our competitions and we are very excited to be at the forefront of it.

“We look forward to working with Hawk-Eye to enhance the future of swimming in Victoria and beyond.”

Swimming Victoria says the aim of the partnership is to improve the efficiency and automation of officiating and timing in swimming and they are already in communication with Swimming Australia and FINA to “sooner rather than later” introduce the technology to the world.

This PoC has begun in the 2022 season, with offline trials to be in-place until August when Swimming Victoria aims to implement the system live.

Hawk-Eye, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony, is invested in transforming the sports industry with creative and innovative technologies and are excited to work with Swimming Victoria and make major strides in the world of aquatics.

Image shows the new system on trial at MSAC. Credit: Swimming Victoria.