On Friday 16 May 2008 16:22:09 [log in to unmask] wrote:
> Well, he's not really disabled, in my book but this is still pretty cool.
> I'll be looking for him in the Summer Olympics!
>
> http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory?id=4870234
>
> Kat

Hi Kat,

I think this is a bad decision - the IAAF got it right in my opinion. He 
obviously is disabled (he's a double amputee).

He runs with spring loaded blades - this is undoubtedly a mechanical 
advantage. Does this decision mean that wheelchair marathon racers should be 
able to race against marathon runners. Obviously not - the marathon 
wheelchair world record is about half the running world record - there is an 
obvious mechanical advantage for the wheelchair racers.

The people who want this to happen seem to have a financial vested interest, 
anticipating public interest in the spring loaded amputtee versus 
the 'normals'. To me its a circus.

Its interesting that Pistorius only uses the blades for running, at other 
times he uses a normal prosthetic.

Finally, doesn't this diminish the Paralympics, what is wrong with him being 
the world's best amputee using spring loaded blades.

If Oscar does go to Beijing I hope he doesn't get drawn on the inside lane in 
the wet, he has a tendency to "crash" in these conditions and perhaps injure 
a world class athlete.

Cheers

Deri

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