| Keeping things perfectly stable to draw a fair competitive line is near to impossible. Not only is equipment more fine-tuned but so are the various methods of performing/training and conditions of the playing field (in various sports). You also have environmental factors (ie crowds, jet lag, temperatures, weather etc). Perhaps it is best just not to compare to extreme extents and make bold claims. Sports would never evolve if they remain stable and in the end stale as they are not able to utilize new or unique techniques.
Keeping things equal and stable also affects the mindset of athletes. It's a thing anthropoligists sometimes call "magic". That routine unique to people for the purpose of mindset.
On another note, keeping things perfectly equal would be near impossible as well. People have different bodies and minds and thus different methods all around. People like the different feel or look of different equipment, whether it is technically more enhanced or not. People enjoy different foods and drinks.
I feel it is better to let things evolve as they do and see it as just that -- evolution in the sport. I've never been able to idolize one athlete over another purely because of their statistical ability. I've never been able to idolize an athlete purely because they don the best gear or consume the latest trend. Is it the athlete's world we have to change, or our perspectives?
When it comes to supplements I see nothing wrong with optimizing your own health. The problem I might see here is what optimizes and what eludes to be optimizing; that is, what becomes harmful. I'll give this some thought.
Sports are for fun anyway. Even if it is competitive fun. Competing to bring the best within us out and enjoying the time. If a sport loses this it loses sportsmanship with athletes and fans and the industry turns negative. |