Technology & Sports: The Future of Paralympic Sports

Abstract

Sports technology, an in particular sports equipment, refers to all the implements and apparatus used by athletes during competition on the field of play to facilitate participation and/or to achieve results. The International Paralympic Committee recognizes the important role of sport equipment in enabling Paralympic competition, and is committed to a sport environment where there are fair and clear rules governing the use of sport equipment for each sport. The fundamental principles that IPC is promoting regarding the evolution of equipment used during IPC Competitions are: - Safety (i.e. to the user, other competitors, officials, spectators and the environment) - Fairness (i.e. the athlete does not receive an unfair advantage that is not within the spirit of the event they are contesting) - Universality (e.g. commercially available to all not just selected athletes or countries) - Physical Prowess (i.e. human performance is the critical endeavor not the impact of technology and equipment) The use of the following technology is prohibited at IPC Competitions. This applies e.g. to: - Equipment that results in athletic performance being generated by machines, engines or robotic mechanisms; and - Osteo-integrated prosthesis. The development of technology drives the sports governance into a debate on ergonomics (safety, fairness and prowess), economics (universality) and ethics (fairness). This debate should be held with representatives of the industry, and guided by short-term and long-term objectives.

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