double amputee cleared to qualify for olympics

ISU BET · 05-16-2008, 03:17 PM

ESPN - CAS says Pistorius can race against able-bodied athletes - Trackandfield

what does everyone think of this? sure it's a great story to overcome what he has, but i kind of think those things might actually give him an unfair advantage. thoughts?

JonDMiller · 05-16-2008, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by ISU BET

ESPN - CAS says Pistorius can race against able-bodied athletes - Trackandfield

what does everyone think of this? sure it's a great story to overcome what he has, but i kind of think those things might actually give him an unfair advantage. thoughts?

Yeah, pieces of metal attached to your kneecaps is always an unfair advantage....or not.

I am glad they allowed this. He still has a personal best that is a full second off of the olympic standard times, and has not been in full training mode based off the last ruling.

But I am glad they are letting him try

CyinCo · 05-16-2008, 03:29 PM

I think this is a slippery slope precedent. This runner requires this equipment but where does it end? What if the equipment is "better" than the human body? What about able bodied runners using some type of equipment as well? Seems to me that this shouldn't be allowed. I have all kinds of respect for this guy but it shouldn't be allowed.

The_Architect · 05-16-2008, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by CyinCo

I think this is a slippery slope precedent. This runner requires this equipment but where does it end? What if the equipment is "better" than the human body? What about able bodied runners using some type of equipment as well? Seems to me that this shouldn't be allowed. I have all kinds of respect for this guy but it shouldn't be allowed.

I agree.

brianhos · 05-16-2008, 03:37 PM

Originally Posted by CyinCo

I think this is a slippery slope precedent. This runner requires this equipment but where does it end? What if the equipment is "better" than the human body? What about able bodied runners using some type of equipment as well? Seems to me that this shouldn't be allowed. I have all kinds of respect for this guy but it shouldn't be allowed.

I agree, are we going to allow wheelchair runners to compete in the marathon? Those guys FLY past runners.

cloneu · 05-16-2008, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by CyinCo

I think this is a slippery slope precedent. This runner requires this equipment but where does it end? What if the equipment is "better" than the human body? What about able bodied runners using some type of equipment as well? Seems to me that this shouldn't be allowed. I have all kinds of respect for this guy but it shouldn't be allowed.

I think I am in the same boat as you. You like to see a feel good story and see people over come the odds and feel good for the guy. But at the same time I think artificial things shouldn't be used to put somebody on an equal level as others in sports. A guy takes steroids because on his own he isn't strong enough to compete at the highest level and people will rip him apart. Does that person have a claim that since he doesn't have the talent naturally that it should be ok for him to take steroids?

Cutlass · 05-16-2008, 03:40 PM

The dude doesn't have any feet. As long as he isn't racing in a turbo wheel chair, let him compete.

ISU BET · 05-16-2008, 04:16 PM

any subscribers to espn the mag would have seen the cover of the last issue devoted to this subject. i after reading the article, i think that they do give him an unfair advantage. doctors said that he uses less oxygen than a normal runner would which does give him an advantage over the other runners. also, just watching the tape of him run, it seems to me that those extensions look like he is almost springboarding through the race. again, i like to hear stories of people overcoming, but i think that this is going to create a slippery slope

theshadow · 05-16-2008, 04:22 PM

The return of energy with the blades is maybe 2% greater than normal legs, according to the E:60 episode from awhile back.

And as Miller noted, he still hasn't run anywhere near a qualifying time. One second is a HUGE gap in the 400. Right now, the only way he could get in is being selected as a member of a relay team.