Can technology make sports more equal, or does it only widen the gap between competitors?

Technology has contributed greatly to the fairness and equality of sports. From the development of electronic line-calling systems to advanced injury recovery, the use of technology is unavoidable in sports because of its overall effectiveness, whether it be in improving accuracy or helping athletes gain advantages. The question is, when technology is utilized in a sport, does it favor certain athletes/players?

Controversy has arisen among tennis fans regarding the use of electronic line-calling (ELC) system Hawk-Eye on clay court surfaces. Due to the nature of clay courts, visible marks are left when a ball hits the court which can seem helpful in determining where a ball has landed. Sometimes, Hawk-Eye rules balls in, even though the ball marks show it's out (or the opposite), as shown in cases like a call involving Alexander Zverev at the 2025 Madrid Open. This placed Zverev at a disadvantage as the ball was still ruled in, in favor of his opponent. The ball was ruled in because according to the inventor of Hawk-Eye, these ball marks can be inaccurate, which can cause confusion and frustration for players. In my opinion, experts who worked on Hawk-Eye technology failed to fully predict external variables that could affect the accuracy of the system. In an attempt to make tennis more equal, technology hindered some players performances.

This is not to say that technology is never fair, it definitely can be. Modern technology can help athletes recover from injuries much quicker, famously demonstrated by basketball athlete Kevin Durant. Durant suffered from a torn Achilles tendon in 2019, but through persistent treatment assisted by his rehab team and surgeon, Durant was able to return to basketball after 18 months. Without his extensive recovery process-which was only made possible by technology- Durant wouldn't have been able to return to the NBA, let alone perform at an elite level once again. In this case, technology can reverse the effects of injuries that are inherently unfair, allowing athletes to compete on equal terms again.

To conclude, technology can contribute major benefits to athletes. However, before implementing significant changes in sports involving technology, we must confirm that it's beneficial but still maintains equality among competitors, as its implementation could make competition unfair if done without proper consideration.