This archive report was first published on 16 October 2019.
Kipchoge's Record-Breaking Shoes: The Controversy Surrounding Vaporflys ¶
On Saturday, Eliud Kipchoge made history by running the marathon in under two hours, a feat that had seemed impossible for many decades. However, the achievement has been marred by controversy over the shoes he wore, the Nike Vaporflys.
According to Nike research, the Vaporflys have an improved metabolic efficiency of 4 per cent, thanks to their curved carbon-fibre plate. Independent studies have also confirmed that the shoes bring a significant advantage over competitors wearing 'normal' shoes.
But what makes the Vaporflys so special? And why are they causing controversy in the world of sports? We take a closer look at the innovative shoes that have been credited with a significant improvement in performance.
Despite being legal, the Vaporflys have been the subject of much debate. Some argue that they give athletes an unfair advantage, while others see them as a natural progression of technological advancements in sports.
As rival companies try to match and surpass Nike's invention, it's likely that we'll see faster times and more records broken. But until someone puts a wheel or a jet-pack in their heels, the IAAF is unlikely to intervene, and the issue will rumble on.
So, what's the future of the Vaporflys? Will they continue to dominate the world of sports, or will they be replaced by newer, better innovations? Only time will tell.
