Modern Tech In Sport And Its Impact On Fair Outcomes

Question 1

Electronic starting and finishing in athletics

Answer 1

• previous method of pressing button on stopwatch and runners start when they see the smoke from the gun
• electronic starting &finishing eliminates delay between the start and athletes hearing it
• in the past athletes closest to the starter had an advantage
• increases results accuracy

Question 2

Goal line technology

Answer 2

Method used to determine if the ball has completely crossed the line in football
Whole ball has to cross line
-increases proportion of accurate decisions

Question 3

Improvements in the detection of doping

Answer 3

World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) constantly research new methods to prevent cheating.
-however its questioned by the idea ‘ is modern tech insufficient to keep pace with new sport enhancing drugs’

Question 4

Arguments in favour of TMO’s (Television match officials)

Answer 4

1) increased proportion of accurate decisions (fairer outcomes)
2) increased entertainment due to tension and drama as replays occur
3) improved accountability of officials where results have significant financial implications
4) improved debate and punditry for audience

Question 5

Arguments against TMO’s in sport

Answer 5

1) slows game down through prolonged interruptions
2) increased certainty of decisions
may make sport less entertaining
3) crowds/players may influence outcomes if giant screens show replays
4) human error not eliminated so decisions may still be wrong/incidents may be missed
5) costly so only available at elite level