Dr. Mahfoud Amara
The development and modernisation of sport have been intertwined with technological advancements and societal progress. The industrial revolution, along with the development of transportation and mass communication, has facilitated the global spread of sport. This has led to the establishment of world championships and the Olympics, an increase in the number of spectators, and enhanced mobility for athletes, and of course, goods.
Technology, which is advancing at a rapid pace, has transformed our experience of accessing sports competitions and programs, posting and sharing information, and consuming news.
The evolution has been from newspapers to radio, black-and-white TV to colour, and from terrestrial to satellite broadcasting. We’ve also seen a shift from 2D and 3D to virtual and immersive reality.
Now, you can attend basketball, football, or tennis matches from the comfort of your living room. You can even access different competitions simultaneously and select your preferred commentator via your TV remote control.
Moreover, technology has revolutionised equipment and apparel for training and competition, offering athletes enhanced comfort, better data for decision-making, and the edge to perform faster, higher, and stronger.
Coaches and performance analysts now have access to a wide range of data, enabling competitive advantages and even trend prediction through Artificial Intelligence.
However, technology also has a darker side, impacting the human element of sport. It pushes athletes’ bodies and minds to the limit, creating inequality between those who can afford advanced technology and those who cannot.
Technology can also serve as a tool for control, measuring athletes effectiveness and return on investment by monitoring their sleep, speed, endurance, and eating habits. While technology offers an illusion of certainty, the essence of sport—rooted in uncertainty and unpredictability, or to put it simply in humanity—should not be forgotten.
Dr. Mahfoud Amara is an Associate Professor in Sport Social Sciences and Management at Qatar University
Dr. Mahfoud Amara is an Associate Professor in Sport Social Sciences and Management at Qatar University.
