Tech doping - rule-breaking or game-changing?

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Study by Yorkshire firm discovers that 71% of people think technology and AI have the potential to create significant inequalities in elite sports.

Tech doping, the use of advanced technology to gain an unfair advantage in sports or other competitive activities, isn’t new. For years, the Olympics and Paralympics has barred swimmers from wearing full-body swimsuits made from polyurethane and neoprene that improve buoyancy and speed. Back in January 2020, Nike’s Alphaflys were banned by World Athletics after it was revealed that the shoes were able to boost speed by 3.4 percent.

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However, as technology advances at a breathtaking rate, technological sportswear, devices and software that blur the line between innovation and cheating are an increasing cause for concern amongst sports federations and spectators alike. Because, while technological advancements are a natural part of sports evolution, some tech can compromise the integrity of the competition.

Yorkshire software development firm, Propel Tech, asked 102 avid sports fans to share their views on the controversial topic and what they considered to be fair play.

Olympics and Paralympics bar swimmers from wearing swimsuits made from polyurethane and neopreneOlympics and Paralympics bar swimmers from wearing swimsuits made from polyurethane and neoprene
Olympics and Paralympics bar swimmers from wearing swimsuits made from polyurethane and neoprene

Tech doping is inevitable

The majority, 48%, of respondents said they thought tech doping is inevitable as technology evolves, and the focus should be on ensuring equal access.

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As technology continues to evolve at a fast pace, the possibility of completely preventing tech doping seems unlikely. Athletes have always sought an edge, and now, with innovations like advanced footwear, performance-enhancing wearables, and even gene editing, the definition of a level playing field is shifting.

Ensuring fair access to performance-enhancing sports technology is crucial to maintaining the integrity of competition. One approach is to establish clear regulations that govern the use of such technologies, making them available to all athletes, regardless of their financial or institutional backing. Governing bodies could work closely with technology developers to standardise and subsidise essential advancements, ensuring they are affordable and accessible at all levels of sports.

Transparency is key. Openly sharing information about available technologies and their potential impacts can prevent an uneven distribution of benefits.

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This reflects the viewpoint of 38% of the study’s respondents who agreed some technological enhancements are acceptable - but clear guidelines are needed.

10% of recipients believe that tech doping undermines the integrity of sports and should be strictly regulated.

Are developments in SportTech impacting fair outcomes at high-level events, such as the Olympics and Paralympics?

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A whopping 71% of the respondents to Propel Tech’s questions said wearable technology and AI could create significant inequalities in professional, high-profile sporting events if some athletes have access to better technology.

It has been reported that tech doping has been a concern for the organisers of the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics. As technology continues to advance rapidly, ensuring a level playing field has become increasingly challenging, and they are particularly concerned about the potential misuse of technology in performance-enhancing wearables, biomechanical aids, and advanced prosthetics in the Paralympics.

Interestingly, 5.5% of the study respondents had an opposing view and thought wearable tech and AI could level the playing field by helping all athletes optimise performance.

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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and International Paralympic Committee (IPC) have been working closely with governing bodies to balance innovation with fairness, ensuring that no athlete gains an unfair advantage through tech doping. The challenge lies in distinguishing between legitimate, performance-enhancing tech that benefits all competitors and those technologies that cross the line into unfair advantage.

All that said, 18% of the people spoken to in Propel Tech’s study said they thought the impact of wearable tech and AI would be minimal on an athlete’s performance at high-profile sporting events, as talent and hard work will always be the primary factors.

So how can officials distinguish between legitimate technologies that benefit all competitors and those that cross the line into unfair advantage?

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Legitimate sport tech refers to advancements in equipment, training methods, and performance aids that are widely accepted and regulated within the sport. These innovations aim to enhance performance while maintaining a level playing field. Examples include improved running shoes, aerodynamic cycling gear, or data-driven training programs. Such technologies are typically accessible to all competitors and are approved by governing bodies, ensuring that they do not confer an unfair advantage.

Tech doping, on the other hand, involves the use of technology in ways that violate the spirit of fair competition. This can include using equipment or enhancements that provide a significant, often secretive, advantage that others cannot match. Unlike legitimate sport tech, tech doping is generally prohibited by the sport’s regulations because it skews competition by favouring those with access to superior technology rather than relying on natural ability, skill, and effort.

44% of respondents suggested an all-out ban on any technology that falls into ‘tech doping’ and not considered to be legitimate sport tech. 36% said technologies should be classified based on their impact, with some allowed under certain conditions. 14% said there should be no distinction; all technology should be allowed as part of the sport’s evolution.

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Propel Tech founder and director, Andy Brown, who coaches the women’s under 15 team at Huddersfield Town A.F.C, says: “Vast developments in technology touch every industry, and sport is no exception. SportTech is an exciting and intriguing area of IT, from both a device and software development point of view, and innovations in this area are not going to stop. In fact, they’re likely to shape the future of sport as we know it. Therefore, sporting bodies must prioritise the creation of rules and regulations around SportTech, and find ways to embrace and incorporate it in ways that are accessible and fair.

“I very much buy into the idea that innovators in the SportTech field have a responsibility to support the accessibility and transparency of their technologies, and wholeheartedly support the concept of tech companies collaborating with sporting bodies to ensure everyone has the opportunity to enjoy all the exciting advantages SportTech can offer.”

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