Last year, the Kenyan long-distance runner Eliud Kipchoge completed a marathon in under two hours, a feat that was once thought to be impossible. But along with his considerable athletic skills, Kipchoge also had help from a revolutionary new product: Nike’s Vaporfly running shoes. This video takes a look at the sudden dominance of the Vaporfly and how regulators could possibly ban the shoe if it proves to give runners too much of an advantage.
Questions:
- Do you think Nike will redesign the Vaporfly so it doesn’t give runners as much of an advantage? Why or why not?
- How did rulemakers in swimming respond to the release of Speedo’s LZR bodysuit? Should authorities in long-distance running impose similar restrictions on the Vaporfly?