I don't get it.
Oscar Pistorius has been given permission to compete for a spot in the Olympics.
There are people that think that he shouldn't be allowed to compete because his blades give him an unfair advantage.
He is missing both of his legs below the knees.
I am of the opinion that if something provides an advantage in sports, then other people will try to do it to get an edge over the competition, no matter how dangerous it is. (ie: steroids)
I think that the Court of Arbitration for Sport has set a dangerous precedent. It won't be long before runners all over the world start cutting off their legs in order to run faster. Be alert. You may see these patients in your ER when their black-market or home amputation goes bad.
12 comments:
He could argue those WITH legs have an unfair advantage. Idiots!
You missed the back story. He actually cut off his own legs with a hack saw to take his mind off the pain of fibromyalgia.
[zing!]
No, but really - my mom has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and I don't know how to help, or where to go. Can you recommend some internet sites with alternative diagnoses? I'd like to get mom the help she needs in getting a correct diagnosis, but I don't know what to do.
You are so sick. :รพ Hilarious, but sick. Good thing I wasn't drinking. My laptop would be toast.
Two posts in two days... I won't get my hopes up, but it's good to have you back. :)
xoxox from the kiddies too.
Ugh. I thought they ruled AGAINST him!
Maybe someone could design 100 foot tall prostheses so that he only has to take like 12 giant steps to cover the 400 meters.
I admire his drive, but I also have concerns about the fairness.
I know you jest in part. However, when a group of olympic athletes were surveyed they answered in the 80% range that they would be satisfied winning a gold and dying at age 25. I can't confirm this with a quick google search, but I believe it. I do not believe he should be allowed to compete in the games but should be allowed in the special olympics. Then his world record is properly categorized. This is sport with rules. We don't change rules for special circumstances. Hell, I'd love to play pro football so if I can design a suit to make me fast enough and strong enough then why shouldn't i be allowed to play? Plus i'm drop dead good looking.
I have a friend who was born with one leg. She was a world class skier (back in the day). She wanted to compete with people who had two legs, but they wouldn't let her. I'm sure it had something to do with her poles having skis on the ends instead of pointy things.
This is actually a very thought-provoking post. If the blades don't impart an advantage, then why doesn't he just use the molded feet to run with? Or does he walk around on blades all the time?
Scalpel is on the right track when he mentions the long prosthetics. How much evolution in design should be considered fair?
If they developed a set of blades with springs in them that could make him run even faster, would that be OK?
Tough call.
Would it be OK if all the other runners were allowed to use smaller versions of blades on the bottoms of their shoes to increase their stride length?
The guy and his motivation need to be commended, but I think the blades result in an unfair advantage.
I have mixed feelings about this. Although it's just more evidence that too much emphasis is placed on athletics.
That and I've got to remember to Google fibromyalgia.
Karen
I saw a documentary on him (actually on disabled athletes) that mentioned his try for the Olympics and I thought the SAME exact thing: That if he's allowed to compete, then people would be cutting off their legs for a chance to win the gold. Sick.
Gotta agree--You don't get to be an Olympic-level athlete without being Driven with a capital D. And I don't think the same coaches that hook people up with steroids and HGH and a million other supplements would be that much more hesitant to prescribe a legotomy.
He just qualified with a win in the 200. He was dead last for the 1st 100, and then his speed picked up when everyone else was slowing down. His trainers say he starts slow because has no initial spring off the blocks like others.
point is, he can move his legs really really fast. And he has the right to compete too. We can't make rulings based on the crazies that may take advantage of it later - then we would never do anything. We wouldn't give TPA for strokes and we wouldn't have polio vaccines.
He blows people away at the special Olympics - it is not even a race - I say let the guy run, the only way he has ever known how!
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