University of Otago biomedical ethics professor Grant
Gillett delivers a keynote address in the Hutton Theatre
yesterday. Photo by Peter McIntosh.
The impact of technology on sport is the subject of a
University of Otago School of Physical Education international
research symposium this week.
The Technologies in Sport: Performance, Bodies and Ethics
symposium features seminars and workshops by leading sports
academics on technologies in sports science and coaching.
About 100 people attended the opening keynote presentation by
University of Otago biomedical ethics professor and
neurosurgeon Grant Gillett yesterday, "Cyborgs and the
essence of sport".
Sport was fundamentally meant to celebrate human excellence,
Prof Gillett said.
"It is easy to emphasise the objective characteristics
involved - stronger, higher, faster - forgetting that these
are human excellences.
"Competition focusing on the result, rather than the means of
achieving it, exaggerate this tendency."
Prof Gillett referred to South African double amputee
sprinter Oscar "Blade Runner" Pistorius, who has achieved
Olympic qualifying times with the aid of carbon fibre
transibial artificial limbs.
"Is running on six foot-long [1.8m] blades, giving yourself a
springy, long step, in the spirit of the sport?"
Rules of competition in sport were meant to "preserve the
humanity of sport" and prevent it being eclipsed by
technology, Prof Gillett said.
When enhancements remediated a defect we were prepared to
acknowledge their value, but when they created an unfair
advantage over others it disturbed us.
"We accept, and even welcome, enhancement of natural
abilities in officials, but direct advantaging of competitors
is quite another thing.
"Excellence in human function involves a harmony of lively
forces," Prof Gillet said.
Other international academics addressing the symposium this
week include Dr Gregor Wolbring, of Canada, on the use of
science and technology products in sport, Prof Cathy Craig,
of Scotland, on virtual reality technology in sport, Prof
Andrew Pipe, of Canada, on drug use in sport, and Dr Michael
Gard, of Australia, on the arguments for and against using
technology in elite sport.
The Technologies in Sport: Performance, Bodies and Ethics
symposium continues today and tomorrow.
A public lecture with a panel of invited speakers, chaired by
Associate Prof David Gerrard, will be held at 5.30pm today in
the St David Lecture Theatre.
- nigel.benson@odt.co.nz
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