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Journals / Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Dergisi / 2025 / Cilt: 8 Sayı: 4

Digitalisation and the Evolution of Sports Technologies in the Summer Paralympic Games in the 21st Century

21. Yüzyılda Yaz Paralimpik Oyunlarında Dijitalleşme ve Spor Teknolojilerinin Evrimi

Abdullah Şimşek(MUNZUR ÜNİVERSİTESİ, ÇEMİŞGEZEK MESLEK YÜKSEKOKULU)0000-0003-1070-2623
Pages
65–93
Publication Date
2025-12-31
DOI
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Conclusion: In conclusion, the technological transformation observed in the Paralympic Games has elevated the events from being merely sporting competitions to highly intelligent, interconnected, and sustainable organisational ecosystems.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Purpose: This study was conducted to examine the technologies used in the Summer Paralympic Games held in the twenty-first century and to reveal the transformation that has occurred within the Paralympic movement.
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Key Findings & Data:Each edition of the Games was evaluated separately, and data were compiled through the analysis of news platforms, official organisational websites, the websites of technology manufacturers, and various reports related to the events.
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Conclusion & Impact:Conclusion: In conclusion, the technological transformation observed in the Paralympic Games has elevated the events from being merely sporting competitions to highly intelligent, interconnected, and sustainable organisational ecosystems.
🔬Design:Review & Systematic Survey
📍Scope:2025 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Paralimpik · Dijitalleşme · Teknoloji

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine the technologies used in the Summer Paralympic Games held in the twenty-first century and to reveal the transformation that has occurred within the Paralympic movement. Method: Designed as a narrative review study, the first stage of the research involved identifying and examining the technologies employed in the Paralympic Games. Each edition of the Games was evaluated separately, and data were compiled through the analysis of news platforms, official organisational websites, the websites of technology manufacturers, and various reports related to the events. The collected information was reviewed between 1 February and 31 October 2025. Results: The technologies utilised in the Paralympic Games were examined across several dimensions, including performance technologies, officiating and decision-support systems, fan experience and engagement technologies, organisational and infrastructural technologies, analytical tools, information and communication technology integration, broadcasting and visual media systems, connectivity and digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and automation. In addition, athletes performed using specially designed equipment and assistive technologies. These included individually customised wheelchairs, high-performance running prostheses, and release mechanisms used in archery, among other devices. Conclusion: In conclusion, the technological transformation observed in the Paralympic Games has elevated the events from being merely sporting competitions to highly intelligent, interconnected, and sustainable organisational ecosystems. Over time, this process has redefined not only the performance dimension of sport but also the interaction between humans, the environment, and technology. Furthermore, the maturation of digital infrastructures in the twenty-first century and the integration of technologies such as data analytics and artificial intelligence into institutional decision-making mechanisms have enabled the Games to become manageable at both environmental and digital scales. This evolving technological landscape demonstrates that the sports industry has shifted from being solely a competitive arena to becoming an experimental field for innovation, data governance, and sustainability.

Özet

Amaç: Bu araştırma 21. yüzyılda düzenlenen yaz paralimpik oyunlarında kullanılan teknolojileri inceleyerek, paralimpik oyunlarda yaşanan değişim sürecini ortaya koymak amacıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Yöntem: Araştırma anlatısal derleme türünde planmış olup, araştırma sürecinde ilk aşama olarak paralimpik oyunlarda kullanılan teknolojiler incelenmiştir. Her bir olimpiyat açısından ayrı şekilde değerlendirme yapılırken; haber siteleri, organizasyonların web siteleri, teknolojileri üreten firmanın web siteleri, organizasyonlarla ilgili raporlar vb. incelenerek bilgiler derlenmiştir. Derlenen bu bilgiler 1 Şubat-31 Ekim 2025 tarihleri arasında değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular: Paralimpik oyunlarda kullanılan; performans teknolojileri, hakemlik ve karar destek sistemleri, taraftar deneyimi ve etkileşimi teknolojileri, organizasyonel ve alt yapı teknolojileri, analiz teknolojileri, bilgi ve iletişim teknolojileri entegrasyonu, yayıncılık ve görsel teknoloji, altyapı ve bağlantı teknolojileri, yapay zekâ ve otomasyon vb. farklı boyutlarda incelenmiştir. Bunun yanında sporcular özel olarak tasarlanmış ekipmanlar ve yardımcı teknolojiler ile performans sergilemektedir. Bu teknolojiler arasında, bireysel gereksinimlere uygun tekerlekli sandalyeler, yüksek performanslı koşu protezleri, okçulukta kullanılan serbest bırakma mekanizmaları gibi farklı araçlar bulunmaktadır. Sonuç: Sonuç olarak, paralimpik oyunlarda yaşanan teknolojik dönüşüm, paralimpik oyunları yalnızca bir spor etkinliği olmaktan çıkararak akıllı, bağlantılı ve sürdürülebilir organizasyonlar düzeyine taşıdığı görülmektedir. Ayrıca geçen süreç içerisinde oyunlarda, sporun yalnızca performans boyutu değil, aynı zamanda insan, çevre ve teknoloji arasındaki etkileşimi yeniden tanımlanmasını sağlamıştır. Bununla birlikte 21. yüzyılda dijital altyapıların olgunlaşması, veri analitiği ve yapay zekâ sistemleri gibi teknolojilerin; kurumsal karar destek mekanizmalarına entegre edilmesi, hem çevresel hem dijital ölçekte yönetilebilir hale gelmesini sağlamıştır. Zamanla ortaya çıkan bu teknolojik dönüşüm, spor endüstrisinin yalnızca bir rekabet alanı değil, aynı zamanda yenilik, veri yönetimi ve sürdürülebilirlik gibi alanları birer deneysel uygulama alanına dönüştürmektedir.

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Cite This Article

Şimşek, A. (2025). Digitalisation and the Evolution of Sports Technologies in the Summer Paralympic Games in the 21st Century. Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, Cilt: 8 Sayı: 4, 65–93. https://ajindex.com/articles/1471838

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