Oscar Pistorius
- Thread starter Brown81
- Start date
Gixxergirl1000
AFM #731
I think he should be allowed to compete.
Brown81
Well-known member
What if he were to lop off an arm?
Gixxergirl1000
AFM #731
What makes you think the Cheetahs are giving him an advantage? Are his times significantly faster than runners who have legs? He has to compensate for balance issues, as well as running from his core, instead of his legs... seems like those would fall into the "handicap" category... :dunno
MtnRacer
Veterinarian
I don't. But what if they did? Or they could? How do you quantify that? What if the same technology could be packaged into a running shoe, do you allow it? It starts to make things messy out of a relatively simple sport. Atheletics are supposed to be about human performance, not technology. That's why they ban things like those swimsuits everybody was wearing and records were being destroyed right and left.
Steve
Gixxergirl1000
AFM #731
Well, lap times would be a good place to start as far as indicators... I mean, if he's running 20 seconds faster than anyone else, that would tend to indicate some sort of advantage... as far as technology and shoes are concerned, they already pack a whole bunch of technology into the shoes... I mean, how many runners do you see running in Chucks? Or, for that matter, how many people are actually competing the way the first Olympians did- nude? They ran without shorts OR shoes. And the athletes of the 20's certainly weren't training the way the athletes of today do...
Personally, I don't think someone who's as athletic as this young man, who's worked so hard to get to a level that he could compete against non-disabled people should be denied the opportunity... just my :2cents
iamrob
I LIKE MOTORCYCLES LOL
as much as i feel like an asshole for saying this, no i dont think he should be allowed to compete because he has a modified body.
Yakoo752
USN
you've never worn running spikes have you?
sicks
Yo yo yo
While lap times may be a start - how to account for those sandbaggin enough to win? I'm not sayin the dude is not an exceptional athlete, but if there is a significant change to the design of the competitor (especially a man made addition) that is of great effect to the outcome, then that competitor should not be allowed to participate. In this case, the competition is running, and one cannot run without legs - different shoes provide grip/comfort, but each regular runner could complete the task without those shoes - also, I'm guessing there's a standard in the shoes (like no springs allowed to gain mechanical advancement, similar to the NBA).
Conversely, people who would be heavier, if they had all limbs, should definitely be able to compete in their actual weight class, if they are not using a prosthetic - I am using some pro fights and wrestling as my example here. I've seen a guy who was missing one leg but kickboxed and was considerably stronger than his opponent, because of his 'relative weight.'
Maybe it parallels legs to the engine or wheels on any racing series - There are standards there.. and if one ventures outside of those standards, then they have to compete elsewhere.]
Ramble ramble ramble
Brown81
Well-known member
Entoptic
Red Power!
Nope. He has an advantage even though I would like to see him complete. As a stilter, I own a pair of those leggings but for people with legs and it is a HUGE advantage. I can run like the dickens and have a 9 - 12 foot step when running full speed. It is also super easy to jump over a fence.
Good for him though!
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Brown81
Well-known member
Could you strap those on an run against Olympic 400 runners even with your legs?
These are going to be dudes running 20mph+ for 400 meters.
Given that question, could you then do it if we lop your legs off at the hip (no femurs)???