Can technology make sports more equal, or does it only widen the gap between competitors?
This post was written by a student. It has not been fact checked or edited.
Technology has been used in sports across the world in wonderful and eye capturing ways, but sometimes they can have cheaty downsides. So, does it make it equal or can it create a large gap?
Many sports tech is used to make a game more accurate, to see what the human eye can't. For instance, Independent 2025 stated that VAR is a system where they use video footage to review any human errors or inaccuracy. Fans debate that it takes away the tradition as humans have always reviewed the match while other fans and the players support the system as it helps them follow the rules.
Information from BBC shows that Marius Lindvik, Johann Andre Forrang and three team officials were suspended for having an extra thread in their ski suit. Lindvik and Forrang were both disqualified after using illegal tech during a suit inspection. Their manager had confessed and apologised on social media.
This shows how sports can have a disadvantage towards making the sport fair for the people and the match.
VAR has increased key matched decisions from 82% to 96% in its post introduction in 2018/19 penalties were awarded from 95 to over 104 per season. (Gemini)
These are two of many reasons why technology in sports is good or bad. There is no direct answer to the question because of the evidence is on both sides.
Another negative of sports tech is that from Independent 2025, fans are backlashing saying that the nostalgia in the sport is lost; it was always checked and monitored by humans and sports tech has ruined the fun of watching it. Additionally, Topical Talk reports that teams with bigger budgets can afford better tech than others.
Another positive about sports tech is that BBC says that it has better medical care resulting in fewer injuries and faster recovery. Also, the feedback from coaches is more objective, focused and helpful.
In my opinion, I think sports tech should have a reasonable limit or budget, it should be usable and fair for fans, players and the game or it can widen the gap.
Comments (1)
One strength of your standpoint is that you show both the positive and negative sides of technology in sports. This makes your argument balanced and thoughtful. It helps the reader understand that technology can improve fairness but can also create problems.
I found your example about the Norwegian ski team convincing because it clearly shows how technology can be misused to gain an unfair advantage. This example helps prove your point that technology can sometimes widen the gap between competitors.
I also think your example about VAR was interesting because it shows how technology can improve accuracy in sports decisions. The statistics about decisions increasing from 82% to 96% make your argument stronger because they provide clear evidence.
One question I still have is how sports organisations could control the use of technology so that richer teams do not gain an advantage over poorer teams.
You could make this even stronger by explaining more about how a “reasonable limit or budget” for technology would work in practice. For example, you could suggest rules that make sure all teams have access to the same level of technology.
Overall, your standpoint is interesting and well supported with examples. 👍