Oscar "Blade Runner" Pistorius - "the fastest thing on no legs"

**Matt D** · 15-07-2007, 21:30

Anyone been watching the Sheffield Grand Prix athletics?

Oscar Pistorius came last in the men's 400m earlier this evening, finishing less than half a second behind the man in front of him....

Doesn't sound so impressive...

... until you consider that he has no legs....

He had his legs amputated before his 1st birthday, due to a congenital condition, & runs with the aid of special carbon fibre prosthetic "blades".

He's a Paralympic medal winner & record holder, & is hoping to compete against able-bodied athletes at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing (subject to a dispute with the IAAF).

Remarkable athlete

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/othe...rt/6294110.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/6292786.stm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_Pistorius

**Kevin T** · 15-07-2007, 22:23

I know he's remarkable & I commend him, but it makes me cringe every time I see him run.

Imagining the force exerted on his stumps...

Also reminds me of the Zurich ads!

peanutkp · 15-07-2007, 23:30

It is an achievement I must admit, but the jury's still out to whether he has or hasn't an advantage over everyone else.

I think it would be fairer if he waited till they get proof, I know if I lost to him I'd be asking questions. Did he lose intentionally, so people don't ask too many questions, who knows?

They'll be people with roller blades next doing the 100m.

Don't we have the para olympics for people in that position. Can 'abled' bodied people compete in the para olympics? - Should his records in the para olympics be questioned?

**Matt D** · 15-07-2007, 23:41

From Wiki:

Quote:

Pistorius has been the subject of criticism due to claims that his artificial limbs give him an advantage, including that the "blades" he uses are longer than is necessary, allowing him to cover more ground in each stride.[5] Pistorius and his coach, Ampie Louw, reject these allegations, saying that his artificial limbs, called "Cheetahs", do not give him an unfair advantage; they also brought up disadvantages the runner faces, such as rain (which leaves traction hard to attain), wind (which blows the devices sideways), and the fact that he needs more energy to start running than others.[2] Additionally, Professor Robert Gailey of the University of Miami claimed that they return only 80% of the energy they absorb, about a third of what an organic leg returns.

Also says the Olympic ban by the IAAF has been lifted, but only so long as it's shown he is not at an advantage.

None of the "able bodied" runners interviewed this evening had a bad word to say about him.

Apparently competing in the paralympics etc. is not much of a challenge for him (as it's fairly easy for him), hence his desire to race against "able bodied" people.

**Maggy J** · 16-07-2007, 01:00

Good luck to him.

Question?If he was running on ordinary prosthetics(and winning) would anyone think he was capable of cheating?

peanutkp · 16-07-2007, 02:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt D

Apparently competing in the paralympics etc. is not much of a challenge for him (as it's fairly easy for him), hence his desire to race against "able bodied" people.

So all those medals, records etc (in the paralympics) doesn't mean much then do they. Sounds like an advantage to me over all the other competitors.

Obviously no one had a bad word about him because he came last. If he won, do you think it would still be the same then??

**Maggy J** · 16-07-2007, 15:34

I'm invisible..I swear I am...

danielf · 17-05-2008, 22:50

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/spo...cle3946860.ece

He's won the appeal, so he could run in the Olympics if he manages to set a qualifying time. I'm not sure it's a good thing though...

TheNorm · 17-05-2008, 23:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielf

.... I'm not sure it's a good thing though...

I hope he wins a gold medal. Imagine the hope he'll bring to people who are not "able bodied". The guy is the personification of the spirit of the Olympics.

homealone · 17-05-2008, 23:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheNorm

I hope he wins a gold medal. Imagine the hope he'll bring to people who are not "able bodied". The guy is the personification of the spirit of the Olympics.

I cannot agree with both statements, as I understand it, the original competion only allowed men who could speak Greek to participate, so the 'spirit of the Olympics' isn't so clear cut

But , imo, so what if this guy can run faster on his 'blades' than a person without them, he should still be allowed to compete, if he wins he will deserve the Gold Medal for sheer persistence - imho

TheNorm · 18-05-2008, 00:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by homealone

... the original competion only allowed men who could speak Greek to participate...

I should have said "spirit of the Olimpicks"

http://www.olimpickgames.co.uk/

TheDaddy · 18-05-2008, 17:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by homealone

But , imo, so what if this guy can run faster on his 'blades' than a person without them, he should still be allowed to compete

Mmm not sure about this, if he has an advantage over others, we might as well not bother testing people for steroids

homealone · 18-05-2008, 17:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDaddy

Mmm not sure about this, if he has an advantage over others, we might as well not bother testing people for steroids

Fair point, although taking drugs is a voluntary decision, whereas having no legs wasn't - perhaps we should only be concerned if people start having amputations to increase their performance

On a more serious note, perhaps a separate category for 'assisted' athletes, as 'disabled' becomes a little meaningless if prosthetics can mean they perform better than 'able bodied' athletes??