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Is sports technology making sports too reliant on machines instead of human athletes?

Cherilyn Lehenmann

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Sports technology is a rapidly growing industry, and it has been transforming the way sports are played and watched. Technology has introduced a range of advancements such as special equipment, tracking technologies, and digital platforms that enable athletes and coaches to gain an edge in the game. However, the question is whether sports technology is taking away the focus on human athleticism or not?

Many critics argue that technology is creating an unhealthy dependence on machines by some athletes, who rely on them rather than their own abilities. Furthermore, the danger of over-reliance on technology makes sports less about human capability and more about harnessing the power of technology. Therefore, is sports technology is making sports too reliant on machines instead of human athletes?

An example of technology being used is Hawk-Eye, which was initially introduced for cricket matches and later introduced in other sports like tennis and soccer. It enables the coaches to quickly analyze the play with high-tech cameras and give verdicts on whether the ball is in or out. While Hawk-Eye has improved the accuracy of umpiring and created additional excitement, it has also changed the game's strategy. It has introduced a culture where players can challenge the referee’s or umpire’s call and it has led to a reduction in human error.
However, the question remains, does this make the sport better or worse?

The question expands into other areas as well. For instance, the use of performance-enhancing technology in sports such as Olympic cycling as well as Google Glass used to stream a player's view from the field straight to the viewers. These developments make us ponder whether the focus is shifting from athleticism to engineering?

Moreover, advancement in sports science and data analytics are being utilized to analyze play strategies. It has enabled coaches to alter and adjust their tactics mid-game using real-time data. The sports technology such as GPS tracking enables coaches to identify key areas of player’s strengths or weaknesses which, in turn, enhances the game. The question is if a player's skill is more important than his ability to interpret data?

Ultimately, The debate on whether sports technology is making the sport about the machines rather than human athletes will continue. However, it is up to the sports organizations to strike a balance and ensure that the technology serves to enhance the athletes by taking advantage of the benefits technology provides.

In conclusion, sports technology is driving sports in a new direction, and the use of technology does have its advantages and disadvantages as it pushes human athletes in a quest to achieve the perfect game. It is up to us to ask the right questions and ensure that the focus on human athleticism is not traded for yet another technological breakthrough.