TV changes the color of the Olympics

More beautiful, more magnificent, even more eye-catching.

This is another Olympic slogan in this age of visual drama. The broadcasting of the Olympics has encouraged the commercialization of the Games, and now looking good on screen is as important to competitors as going faster, jumping higher and being stronger.

In the Sydney Olympics, one can easily notice the changes being made in individual events in order to catch the eye of more TV viewers. The blue judo uniform is one good example. The blue judo uniform was first introduced at the 1997 World Judo Championships and this is the first Olympics in which it has been worn. There was considerable objection from Japan, the founder of judo, which wanted to keep the traditional white uniform that represents judo's basic spirit, but faced with the strength of TV ratings there was no way it could win.

Rhythm gymnastics is a very favorable sport for TV.

With competitors resembling models, wearing the latest makeup and with trim figures, dancing with batons, ribbons and balls in harmony with music, it is a very aesthetic sport. In Sydney, rhythm gymnasts have come out wearing even more dazzling suits. This is because since the 2000 Olympics, competitors have been allowed to adorn their uniforms with sparkling spangles or beads.

Even in fencing, the traditional black suit, deemed to be unfitting for this visual age due to its drab feeling, has been discarded for suits with more color and national designs. Hence, Korean competitors will wear suits with blue and red Taegeuk marks on their arms and thighs that have been modified to look longer.

The efforts do not end here. The International Fencing Association has been planning to introduce transparent masks, which would enable TV cameras to capture the expressions on players' faces. But due to safety-related problems, the plan was delayed.

The introduction of the color ball is another special aspect of the Sydney Olympics. In handball, a red ball is being used, while in volleyball a yellow and blue ball is being employed.