Previously, we discussed the development of new technology in sports, namely new shoes for running, and the wonders that these shoes have springboarded how far we have come when pushing our limits to the test. In this part, I will delve deeper on the hidden impacts of these technologies. When new technologies come out, will the distribution be even? What would this mean for the true credibility of records? Are these technologies ethical? Will we really benefit from them? These are all curiosities that I want to answer in this article.

Firstly, accessibility. In the previous article, we examined the development process that Nike had undergone in order to provide a special shoe specifically tailored to elite athletes. While these shoes provide a tangible benefit to athletes, the flip side is how much these shoes cost. Nowadays, it is impractical for every single runner to get a specially crafted shoe measured exactly to their foot shape, size and stride, so we’ll look at retail prices in general. The prototype of the AlphaFly retails at $370 AUD; and many of these shoes will need to be rotated on a race-to-race basis, depending on the frequency and distances which one may run. Although to some, the price may seem quite reasonable, given the huge benefits and enhanced performance the shoe provides, many impoverished families simply do not get the same opportunity to purchase these shoes. It is estimated that over 3 million Aussies live below the “poverty line” (there are many definitions for this but for now we’ll stick with this one), working out to be just under $500 per week for a single adult, or just over a grand for a couple with 2 children. Many elite runners may receive hefty subsidies and sponsorships, meaning they are able to get equipment with little to no spending; however, this is not the case for many other runners there, which brings me to my next point: the credibility of records.

When individuals are not able to access technologies, it means that there are many suppressed opportunities hidden within our society. Take a 9 year old boy who is not able to afford a pair of shoes, or an 11 year old girl who cannot afford to pay for a plane flight to compete, or even a 20 year old sophomore in university who cannot spare the time, nor the money to compete at the trials. Although this may seem like an overstatement, as many elite athletes will have other institutions cover the costs for them, there is no doubt that occurrences like these happen very often. And is it not hard to see that if a young child’s dreams are quashed, then this issue would become heavily entrenched, and the child’s dreams extinguished. When competing at the highest level on an even playing field, one’s choice of equipment and technology is important, and very rarely do we see unethical plays here (though it does happen).

So what can we learn about this, and how can we attempt to soften many of these consequences? Global inequity is ultimately inevitable, whether that be limits to our access or cost. Even if we attempt to combat this issue, it is no mean feat, and even if it was possible, it would require decades or centuries upon centuries of consistent government or leadership efforts. These efforts can be undermined by sudden disasters, as seen with the Covid Pandemic offsetting many countries’ progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and climate goals. With that being said, there are small steps that organisations, franchises and even individuals and communities can take to ensure the equality of opportunity.

Organisations can form partnerships with communities in order to provide free or low cost (preferably free) opportunities for local communities, in order to make sure anybody, irrespective of age, gender or ethnicity is provided with equal opportunity. A great example would be Parkrun’s partners such as the Athletes foot; in this case, there is not only a free weekly event which is accessible to everyone, but also provides equitable opportunities by offering many promotional discounts. Such events incentivise participation, but also encourage families to provide the right equipment, helping avoiding the endless cycle.

So what can we as individuals do? This issue extends beyond shoes on the sporting field; it could also include medications that may not be covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, or schools who may not be able to replace their existing technology and infrastructure because of various constrictions. Advocacy and innovation are two of the most critical points for us to consider, as they together facilitate opportunity. Consider parkrun — started by a group of friends in the UK. Consider “Girls Who Code”, a nonprofit aiming to close the gap in STEM subjects. These are just some of the limitless projects that we as individuals can start to make an impact.

Ultimately, we as individuals can do so much; but we need a goal, a vision and an unwavering sense of purpose. It’s important to realise that this is a long and tedious process to solve, and does not include a straightforward course of action. It’s important to maintain a positive mindset throughout the way, something I’ll delve into into future articles (and possibly an upcoming podcast).

Image Credit: Johan Cruyff Institute