Nike’s Vaporfly Running Shoe Causes Controversy

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:

1. Do you think Nike will redesign the Vaporfly so it doesn’t give runners as much of an advantage? Why or why not?
2. 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?