LZR Racer Suit: A Case-Study of Ethical Issues of Techno-Doping

Friday, April 4, 2014
Exhibit Hall Poster Area 1 (Convention Center)
Yan Yang and Weimo Zhu, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, IL
Background/Purpose: Technology has become an integral part of modern competitive sports and fair play could be inhibited by so-called “techno-doping.” As of yet, related ethical issues have not been well examined and addressed. Using the LZR Racer Suit as a case, the purposes of this study were to analyze ethical issues related to high-tech applications in competitive sports, examine the positive and negative effects of high tech on the development of sports, and propose possible measures that could reduce the possible negative impact of high tech on sports. 

Method: We conducted a comprehensive literature search of the LZR Racer Suit, including its development, applications, success, controversies, and eventually its ban by the Fédération Internationale de Natation  (FINA, the international governing body of swimming), and examined related ethical issues and derived lessons learned from this case. Finally, we discussed public response to techno-doping and their points of view on related ethical issues.

Analysis/Results: Five key ethical issues were found related to the LZR Racer Suit, including unfair competition, personal health, psychological dependence, sportsmanship, and commercial conflict interests. For each ethical issue, based on the characteristics of competitive sports, we suggest possible solutions to reduce the negative impact of techno-doping in the future.

Conclusions: There is no question that technology will always be a part of competitive sports. However, we need to understand of the role of technology in competitive sports to avoid technology as a means of unfair play. In response, a comprehensive regulation and ethical principles/code should be established to familiarize athletes and the general public with specific unallowable techno-doping behaviors. We also need to establish clear technological use guidelines to provide a fairer and more competitive environment. In the further study, more research is needed to focus on the relationship among high tech, sports and related ethics.