adaption or advantage?

Adaptive technology is a current issue in sports. While it offers many opportunities for athletes, it also raises questions about cost and accessibility. There is a thin line between supporting athletes and giving someone an unfair advantage. I believe inclusion is important because it helps break down barriers in society. To make sports fair for everyone, I think there should be rules for equipment, a budget for adaptive technology, and better access for all athletes.
Athletes in countries that cannot afford adaptive technology are most affected by this issue. This can make the competition less fair and limit opportunities for some athletes. In places with fewer resources, it can be discouraging to compete against athletes who have a big advantage from technology. Australia is one country that has made progress by securing funding to provide assistive technology to more people with disabilities. This is a step toward making sports more equal. According to an article by Monash University, "Countries need to work together to ensure a more equitable distribution of resources and assistive technology. This could involve sharing best practices, pooling resources, and establishing international funds to support athletes from less privileged backgrounds" (Callway et al.). If more countries follow Australia’s example, they can create programs and work together to make adaptive technology more available.
I think athletes who use adaptive technology should not compete in able-bodied sports. Even though the technology helps them, it does not fully replace the strength of a real body part. For example, a track athlete with running blades can run, but the blades do not give them the same muscle power as someone with strong legs. In wheelchair basketball, it would not be fair for people in wheelchairs to compete against those who can use their legs, because legs are faster than wheelchairs.
Overall, there should be clear rules about what technology is allowed in Paralympic sports. It will take time to make these changes, but if countries work together, sports can become more fair and equal. The goal is not just to win, but to make sure everyone feels welcome and confident when they compete.

The Woodhalls narrate their love story ...

References

Ekegren, C., Callaway, L., Layton, N., & Puli, L. (2025, December 4). Access to assistive technology shapes future paralympic champions, and equity. Monash Lens. https://lens.monash.edu/access-to-assistive-technology-shapes-future-paralympic-champions-and-equity/#:~:text=Yet%2C%20beneath%20these%20high%2Dperformance,Australian%20men’s%20wheelchair%20basketball%20team.

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