Journal article 704 views 702 downloads
Fairness, technology and the ethics of Paralympic sport classification
Michael McNamee 
,
Richard Parnell,
Yves Vanlandewijck
,
Richard Parnell,
Yves Vanlandewijck
European Journal of Sport Science, Volume: 21, Issue: 11, Pages: 1 - 9
Swansea University Author:
Michael McNamee
DOI (Published version): 10.1080/17461391.2021.1961022
Abstract
Fairness in sport is a widely shared meritocratic norm. Its application is usually restricted to equality of opportunity to compete for victory. Paralympic sports lay down a further challenge in that equality of opportunity must be shaped by considerations of fairness, evidenced by the development o...
| Published in: | European Journal of Sport Science |
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| ISSN: | 1746-1391 1536-7290 |
| Published: |
Informa UK Limited
2021
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| Online Access: |
Check full text
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa57910 |
| Abstract: |
Fairness in sport is a widely shared meritocratic norm. Its application is usually restricted to equality of opportunity to compete for victory. Paralympic sports lay down a further challenge in that equality of opportunity must be shaped by considerations of fairness, evidenced by the development of discrete competition categories to construct fair and meaningful contests. In this article, we extend these philosophical ideas to consider how Fair Equality of Opportunity might operate in the context of Paralympic sports classification. We articulate three conceptions of fairness relevant to these sports: (i) background fairness; (ii) procedural fairness; and (iii) stakes fairness. We critically review the International Paralympic Committee’s Policy on Sport Equipment in relation to the first two conceptions and argue that greater clarification, theorization and rule modification is required if physical prowess, as opposed to equipment technology, is to be assured as the dominant determinant of Paralympic athletic success. |
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| Keywords: |
Ethics; disability sport; competition; philosophy |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Issue: |
11 |
| Start Page: |
1 |
| End Page: |
9 |