To run a marathon in less than two hours seemed almost impossible until 2019, when Eliud Kipchoge achieved just that. Obviously this feat was accomplished because of an extreme amount of determination and preparation, but what other factors were involved? During his race, Eliud had pacers to keep him at a speed of over 13 miles per hour, but that does not make his run controversial. The real reason for this controversy is the shoes he wore: Nike Alphaflys. Currently, these shoes are banned from the olympics.
One side of this argument is that the shoes should not be banned. Individuals who believe this would argue that runners should be allowed to wear any shoe they want. These same people would insist that the talent of a runner far outweighs the slight importance of a shoe, and that races would still be fair because almost every elite runner has access to these shoes. Another possible argument is that there are many shoes which are similar to the NIke Alphaflys and are yet to be banned.
The opposing side of this argument suggests that this particular shoe should be banned because it is technological doping. The reason for this is because of the proclaimed 3.4% increase in speed from this shoe. This shoe also violates rules set by World Athletics including the number of carbon fiber plates and the height of the midsole. Individuals who support this ban believe that Nike Alphaflys allow less skill to be demonstrated through runners themselves.
Overall, I believe that banning Nike Alphaflys is the right thing to do for the future of the sport. However, a concern of mine is the similarity between Alphaflys and shoes such as Vaporflys which are legal. I do understand both sides of this argument and I can see why many people are disapproving of the ban, but there must be rules that are enforced firmly. If these shoes were not banned, companies would be pushing the limits of running shoes even further. That stated, this is an interesting debate which is completely dependent on people's opinions.
Do you think NIke Alphaflys should be banned?
Should rules for the design of shoes be more or less strict?
Should any other sports equipment be banned?
Sources
https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/nike-alphafly-banned-technological-doping
https://www.wired.co.uk/article/eliud-kipchoge-ineos-159-marathon#:~:text=During%20Kipchoge's%20record%20he%20had,Kipchoge%20in%20a%20V%20formation.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/31/sport/nike-world-athletics-vaporfly-alphafly-ban-spt-intl/index.html
Replies
I understand why some people would be mad about these shoes but why be upset when they can go buy them for themselves? However, it can also take away from the game If the shoes give a completive advantage it takes away from the fact of hard work to get the level you are at.
This is very similar to how I feel about these shoes. On one hand, they are available to everyone, which creates fairness between runners. On the other hand, these shoes take away from the amount of skill involved in achieving a specific time. Even the slightest detail in a pair of shoes significantly changes the difficulty of obtaining a record.
I don't think that the Nike Alphaflyes should be banned because there are many shoes that are similar that could make you faster in a race. If the Olympics don't want someone wearing a certain type of shoe then they could make runners wear the same kinds of shoes so that no one has a higher advantage. I think that people should have the freedom to choose what kind of shoes that they wear, because one type of shoe may be more comfortable to one person, but it might not be comfortable for another.
I see why they would want to ban these shoes but it wouldn't effect the runner at all. The shoes don't do anything wehn it comes to how the runner runs. They would be good practice shoes but I wouldn't wear them for a race because you could be called out for cheating.
I do think that the Alphaflys should be banned since they give players an advantage over others, becasue if you give one player and advantage others them there will probably be more people trying to find an exploit. But with thses shoes increasing speed the sports compitition could be greatly increased.
I agree that these shoes should be banned, and I agree that if they were not, more exploits in the rules could be found. I think that they should be banned because if not, runners would attempt to stretch the rules and use even more advanced shoes.
I think that Nike Alphatflys should be baned from the Olimpics. I think that Nike Alphatflys should be baned from the Olimpics because of the concerns about the shoes like that they make it esyer and take less skill to run. Pluse they have multiple reasons.
I think the shoes should be banned for Olympic use only. But if someone wants them for everyday use, they should be able to buy them. I am not familiar with any other sports gear that benefits a player over another player.
I think Alphaflys should be banned if they are giving someone an advantage. The only problem with banning a particular shoe is there are many shoes that are just like it. In my opinion I think the olympic's should provide everyone the same shoe so there isn't any arguments.
I think they should be banned if they give a big enough advantage for it to matter in the long run. I feel that players should just have a base shoe that they should wear, not their own shoe as they can do anything to their own shoe. I don't think other equipment should be banned, atleast not right now.
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