Source: The Conversation
Context: There is a growing concern about “technological doping” in professional sports, where advancements in technology enhance an athlete’s performance beyond their natural capabilities, potentially creating unfair advantages.
- The term gained attention when Speedo’s LZR Racer swimsuits, developed with NASA, led to 13 world records in 2008 before being banned.
- Wearable technology, now used by around 500 million people globally, provides athletes with data to improve performance, but it raises questions about whether improvements are due to the technology or a placebo effect.
For instance, new running shoes like Nike’s Vaporflys, which helped Eliud Kipchoge break the two-hour marathon record, have sparked debates about their fairness. Despite outperforming other shoes, the exact biomechanical reasons for their superiority remain unclear.
Way Forward:
- To address this issue, regulatory bodies like World Athletics have introduced rules to ensure fairness, such as limiting the stack height and requiring that shoes be available to the public before competition.
- There is a need for regular biomechanical testing and expert input to ensure that technological advancements do not undermine the integrity of sports by creating inequalities based on affordability and access to high-tech gear.
Example of Technological doping
