Double Amputee Ruled Ineligible For The Olympics

[Mrs Behavin]

Double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius is ineligible to compete in the Beijing Olympics because his prosthetic racing blades give him a clear competitive advantage.

The International Association of Athletics Federations ruled today that the South African runner's curved blades are considered a technical aid in violation of the rules. A German professor who tested the prosthetic limbs said they give Pistorius a clear competitive advantage over able-bodied runners.

Pistorius was born without fibulas -- the long, thin outer bone between the knee and ankle. He was 11 months old when his legs were amputated below the knee.

He began running competitively four years ago to treat a rugby injury, and nine months later won the 200 meters at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens. He's said he would appeal any ruling that went against him

Today's THV - KTHV Little Rock News Article

 

[hubersrj]

I can understand what the IOC is saying, but I can't condone it.

 

[Peter Parka]

Agree with Ron, it might be unfair but he's the only guy people remember from the paralympics!

 

[hubersrj]

I'm almost apt to say let him give it a whirl...at least in the world championships...before the olympics...if he has such an advantage, he should blow away the world record by quite a lot.

 

[Pudding Time]

If them deemed him to have an unfair advantage, then of course he shouldn't be allowed. He has the paralympics.

 

[sharpies]

It may seem unfair but if somebody had one arm replaced by a "bionic arm" & then wanted to compete in the weightlifting, could we let them?

Allan

 

[Dana]

bionic arm?? i think you've been watching too much television. last time i knew you still needed muscle to humanly lift things. If a man can't bench press 500 lbs. He wouldn't be able to with one robotic arm.

 

[BadBoy@TheWheel]

They ruled that the guy had a 30% advantage. I mean, wether I agree with it, or have some sense of sentiment about it, if ti is deemed as an unfair advantage.....Then that's the way it goes.

Not to sound callous, but everyone is up in arms about it. Heck he has been regarded as one of the fastest men in the world. That's better than a gold medal to me.

 

[SRC]

The guy's "synthetic" legs never fatigue .. he can't "pull" a muscle .. he doesn't have to stretch .. he definately has a very unfair advantage on the other runners.

 

[BadBoy@TheWheel]

The guy's "synthetic" legs never fatigue .. he can't "pull" a muscle . he doens't have to stretch .. he definately has a very unfair advantage on the ogther runners.

Well the issue was "mechanical advantage", but yeah you are somewhat accurate as well.

The investigation/research focused on the rebound ability adding to his mechanical advantage.

 

[gLing]

The guy is just too badass for the Olympics.