(A) Hi-tech equipment has become a key part of performance capability at the

Paralympics. Are the rules around high-tech equipment sufficient in terms of

competition? Explain your reasoning.

The Paralympics game is an international stage for athletes to display their talents. For
athletes to compete in Paralympic sports, the use of high-tech equipment has become
increasingly important, bringing new levels of performance, and allowing athletes to go
beyond what was previously thought possible (Homepage, 2022). On the fairness of using
high-tech tools in competition, there is, however, an expanding discussion. This essay
investigates how technological equipment affects the fairness and level of competition in
Paralympic sports (Thomas & Banks, 2013). Discussions on the pros and cons of using high-
tech tools center on fairness, accessibility, and ethical concerns. It is also examined how well
the current laws and guidelines controlling the use of advanced technology in Paralympic
sports are working. Although athletes with disabilities may benefit from high-tech equipment
as a performance booster and practical tool, fair and equitable competition requires clear and
effective rules and regulations (Howe & Silva, 2017). The essay makes the case that not all
issues regarding high-tech equipment in Paralympic sports can be resolved by rules alone.
Regulations must be regularly reviewed and updated to reflect how technology is constantly
evolving and how it influences Paralympic sports.
The benefits of high-tech equipment in improving the performance capability of athletes with
disabilities are discussed in Burkett's (2010) paper. This proves the point that technology is
essential for athletes with disabilities when competing at the highest levels. Athletes can now
participate in all sports that were previously out of their reach thanks to technological
advancements. It improves performance and reduces the risk of damage. The technology
advancement which is lighter and more robust is nowadays adapted to the specific needs of
the athlete. The requirement of each athlete differ from one another and therefore it is
important to look into the requirement of each athlete. This will enable them to excel in their
respective sports. High-tech equipment may enable athletes with disabilities to perform
significantly better, competing at the highest levels and achieving new levels of success. The
advantages of these developments are obvious and cannot be disregarded, but the main issue
is the use of technology in sports and the possibility of unfair advantages. Prosthetic limbs are
high-end devices, which are used in the Paralympics to replace missing or amputated limbs.
Artificial limbs are made to fit each person's needs and are light, aerodynamic, and equipped
with cutting-edge shock absorption systems. Wheels for athletes with lower limb disabilities
include specially made wheelchairs and bicycles that offer the best performance possible
(Burkett, 2010). Assistive technology such as electronic aids or communication devices, to
communicate, and navigate their environment used by athletes and for carrying out other
tasks. The paper also cites studies that demonstrate how using high-tech wheelchairs can
improve wheelchair athletes' performance. As an illustration, "a study of racing wheelchair
technology found that the use of lightweight, aerodynamic racing chairs can reduce the
energy cost of wheelchair racing by up to 25%, enabling athletes to maintain higher speeds
for longer periods of time" (Burkett, 2010).
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC), according to (Smith and Thomas 2012), has
devised a set of regulations to control the usage of equipment during Paralympic competition.
These rules are intended to make sure that athletes do not unfairly benefit from the
equipment. This allows everyone to have an equal chance to compete. The IPC categorizes
athletes based on their impairment, and this categorization is used to determine what
equipment they are allowed to use. According to IPC’s equipment regulation, prosthetics,
wheelchairs, and other aids are just a few examples of equipment that are allowed. Before the
equipment can be utilized in competition, a set of performance and design standards must be
met, according to the rules. Additionally, they outline the testing and certification processes
that manufacturers must adhere to in order to prove compliance. The idea that gear should be
made to cover an athlete's impairment rather than improve their performance is one of the
main tenets of the IPC's equipment regulations. The rules aim to strike a balance between
guaranteeing fairness and inclusivity in Paralympic competition and enabling athletes to take
advantage of technological and innovative advancements. The IPC has created a list of
equipment and gadgets that are not permitted in competition. This includes tools or gadgets
that change the body's organic form or shape or give athletes an unfair advantage. The IPC is
aware that some tools and technology, though, may be necessary for some athletes with
disabilities to compete. As a result, the IPC created a procedure for individually approving
pieces of technology and equipment. The idea that equipment should be made to make up for
an athlete's impairment rather than improve it beyond what would be possible for a non-
impaired athlete is one of the key principles guiding the IPC's equipment regulations (Smith
& Thomas, 2012 The equipment must also be readily available on the market and reasonably
priced to guarantee that all competitors have access to it, according to the rules. (Smith &
Thomas, 2012). According to Dyer(2015), the International Paralympic Committee(IPC) has
a list of classifications that helps them to make sure the participants with impairment do not
use equipment that will have an edge over the other competitors. Any equipment that is not
on the IPC's list of approved items must first receive IPC approval in order to be used in
competition. In order to prevent equipment from outperforming an athlete's natural limbs,
(Dyer et al., 2022) also points out that some items, such as prosthetic limbs, are subject to
performance limits.
Nowadays, high-tech equipment has a huge impact on paralympic movement. It has now
allowed athletes with physical limitations to participate at an ever-higher level (Fryer, 2022).
People with impairments now have new options to participate in sports that were previously
unavailable or inaccessible because of the incorporation of cutting-edge technology in the
design of sporting products. One illustration of such technology is the sit-ski, which was
created to make cross-country skiing possible for people with lower extremity impairments.
To overcome the difficulties the International Paralympics Committee (IPC) has developed
several recommendations for the use of aid in Paralympics contests. The IPC categorizes
athletes based on their impairment, and this Classification is used to determine what
equipment they are allowed to use. Before the equipment can be used in competition, a set of
performance and design standards must be met. (Fryer, 2022). They also indicate the
certification and assessment processes that manufacturers must follow in order to establish
acceptance. Prosthetic limbs are another example of high-tech equipment used in the
Paralympics, letting athletes who have lost lower limbs compete at a higher level. As a result
of advancements in prosthetic technology, blades are now being designed and developed
which are used for running and jumping. There was a discussion about whether the blades
give the athletes an unfair advantage. There have also been concerns about ethics brought up
regarding the use of advanced technology during the Paralympics, particularly in relation to
the topic of fairness. Some contend that athletes with disabilities have an unfair advantage
over athletes without impairments because of the use of tools that performs better than natural
limbs. Others contend that using hi-tech equipment is essential to guaranteeing athletes with
disabilities equal opportunities to compete and succeed (Fryer, 2022). A specific example of
how technological advances has impacted the Paralympic movement is the sit-ski.
Developments in technology have made it possible for more people to excel at the highest
levels of sports by creating equipment that is specifically made to satisfy the wants of athletes
with physical disabilities. As technology develops, we can expect further advances in sports
equipment design that will advance the Paralympic movement and let athletes with
disabilities push the boundaries of their ability.
The essay "We aren't racing a fair race," addresses how some Paralympic athletes have an
advantage over others due to the expensive and specialized tools they use. The authors
recommend modifying the laws and rules governing equipment and technology standards as a
way to ensure fairness. They thought that in order to account for the influence of technology
on performance, the current classification system which separates the athletes into different
groups based on their physical limits needed to be revised. To ensure that athletes compete on
an even playing field, they propose establishing distinct categories for individuals that use
high-tech equipment and those who do not (Thomas & Banks, 2013). As everyone should
have an equal opportunity while participating in the games, all the participants must have the
access to the same resource. This helps in preventing one participant from having an unfair
advantage over the other. The authors also proposed to create rules for the use of technology
at the Paralympics. They promote for governments to collaborate with tech firms to create
equipment that is both affordable and available to everyone (Thomas & Banks, 2013).
Therefore, according to the authors, such changes help in ensuring that all the participants
irrespective of their physical impairment or the equipment, have the opportunity to play on
the same level suitable to all athletes where they battle it out. Also, the study by (Dyer,
Gumowski, and Starczewski 2022) focused on checking tandem cyclists' aerodynamic ability
in move forwards with the 2021 Paralympic Games. The study's findings demonstrated that
the modifications made to the tandem bicycle increased its aerodynamic efficiency by up to
20%, potentially cutting a race's 1-kilometer moments by up to five seconds. To ensure fair
competition, technology use must be regulated. The study highlights how crucial it is to
continue researching and developing sports technology in order to enhance the resources that
are accessible to Paralympic athletes.
In conclusion, the assignment shows us that technology has had a significant impact on the
Paralympic movement, with improvements in equipment and assistive technology
contributing to better performances by athletes. Concerns about fairness and the chance of
some athletes benefiting more than others have grown as a result of this, though. These
problems have been examined in several studies, and they have included recommendations
for rule and regulation changes, technological advancements, and athlete classification. It is
crucial that governing bodies set out accurate rules and requirements for the use of high-tech
equipment in order ensure fairness in the Paralympics. It entails making sure that all athletes,
regardless of their nationality or level of financial resources, have access to equipment and
that it does not provide any one athlete an unfair edge.
The equipment and the technology must be checked regularly. This helps in being within the
bounds of what is reasonable and fair. It is essential to check this equipment and technology
on a regular basis. Lastly, the Paralympic movement must strike a balance between the
positive aspects of technology and its demand for fairness and equity. It is possible to boost
athletes' performance yet preserve a level playing field for all competitors.
References:

Dyer, B., Gumowski, K., & Starczewski, M. (2022). The aerodynamic assessment of tandem
cyclists in preparation for the 2021 Paralympic Games: A Case Study. Proceedings of
the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part P: Journal of Sports Engineering and
Technology, 175433712211000. https://doi.org/10.1177/17543371221100050

Homepage. BJSM. (2022, November 14). Retrieved April 20, 2023, from
https://bjsm.bmj.com/

Howe, P. D., & Silva, C. F. (2017). The cyborgification of Paralympic sport. Movement &
Sport Sciences - Science & Motricité, (97), 17–25. https://doi.org/10.1051/sm/2017014

IEEE Xplore. (n.d.). Retrieved April 20, 2023, from

https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/Xplore/home.jsp

Smith, A., & Thomas, N. (2012). The politics and policy of inclusion and technology in
Paralympic sport: Beyond pistorius. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics,
4(3), 397–410. https://doi.org/10.1080/19406940.2012.745893

Thomas, G. M., & Banks, T. (2013). ‘we aren't racing a fair race’: Rawls, Sen, and the
Paralympic Games. Sociological Research Online, 18(3), 154–157.
https://doi.org/10.5153/sro.3123