6 ms·

Well, if it turns out the technology is ludicrously expensive I think that can make a case for banning it. Otherwise only those who can afford the tech can win

Well, if it turns out the technology is ludicrously expensive I think that can make a case for banning it. Otherwise only those who can afford the tech can win the races.

colmvp 10y ago
But isn't technology merely one aspect? I feel like it tends to be most visible. Some athletes who garner millions in endorsements or part of highly developed countries that prioritize athletic programs can afford or have access to elite trainers, coaches, doctors, sport scientists, nutritionists/dietitians, and legal supplements that will provide them advantages over more amateur athletes.
jimmywanger 10y ago
Well, races like these are always only won by who can afford the tech. Taken to the furthest extreme, everybody who can run successfully in these races can afford proper nutrition, airfare, clothing, and entry fees. There are plenty of people in the world who can't afford those things - should we disqualify everything in the name of "fairness"?
- munificent 10y ago
  > everybody who can run successfully in these races can afford proper nutrition, airfare, clothing, and entry fees. And the insane, nearly lifelong training.
- jdietrich 10y ago
  Distance running is dominated by athletes from two extremely poor countries in east Africa. Cycling and triathlon are dominated by relatively wealthy European and American athletes. Running is fundamentally one of the most democratic sports; the IAAF are right to safeguard that democratic spirit.
  - jimmywanger 10y ago
    > Running is fundamentally one of the most democratic sports In what sense are you using the word democratic? In terms of low barriers to entry, or something else? To take your statement at face value, running is decidedly not democratic, as the sport is dominated by 2 east African countries with a negligibly small proportion of the world's population. For a truly democratic sport, at least 1/7 of the champions/finishers would have to be Chinese and another 1/7 Indian, as those are the two most populous countries in the world.
    - oblio 10y ago
      Democracy implies voting. Maybe the Chinese and Indians don't "vote" for running ;)

Well, if it turns out the technology is ludicrously expensive I think that can make a case for banning it. Otherwise only those who can afford the tech can win the races.

colmvp 10y ago

But isn't technology merely one aspect? I feel like it tends to be most visible. Some athletes who garner millions in endorsements or part of highly developed countries that prioritize athletic programs can afford or have access to elite trainers, coaches, doctors, sport scientists, nutritionists/dietitians, and legal supplements that will provide them advantages over more amateur athletes.

jimmywanger 10y ago

Well, races like these are always only won by who can afford the tech. Taken to the furthest extreme, everybody who can run successfully in these races can afford proper nutrition, airfare, clothing, and entry fees. There are plenty of people in the world who can't afford those things - should we disqualify everything in the name of "fairness"?

munificent 10y ago
> everybody who can run successfully in these races can afford proper nutrition, airfare, clothing, and entry fees. And the insane, nearly lifelong training.
jdietrich 10y ago
Distance running is dominated by athletes from two extremely poor countries in east Africa. Cycling and triathlon are dominated by relatively wealthy European and American athletes. Running is fundamentally one of the most democratic sports; the IAAF are right to safeguard that democratic spirit.
- jimmywanger 10y ago
  > Running is fundamentally one of the most democratic sports In what sense are you using the word democratic? In terms of low barriers to entry, or something else? To take your statement at face value, running is decidedly not democratic, as the sport is dominated by 2 east African countries with a negligibly small proportion of the world's population. For a truly democratic sport, at least 1/7 of the champions/finishers would have to be Chinese and another 1/7 Indian, as those are the two most populous countries in the world.
  - oblio 10y ago
    Democracy implies voting. Maybe the Chinese and Indians don't "vote" for running ;)