Today’s irony: track and field association says legless runner may have unfair advantage

[Lobster Martini]

Brief synopsis: A South African runner tries to cheat his way into the Olympics by having both legs amputated shortly after birth, knowing as an infant that eventually someone would invent carbon fiber prosthetics that would enable him to run like a gazelle. The International Association of Athletics Federations sees through this clever plot. Cheating double amputee probably keeps his real legs under the bed. (Link is below.)

Oscar Pistorius calls himself the world's fastest man on no legs. The runner was born with bones missing in his legs, which required amputation below the knee shortly after his birth. But don't call Pistorius disabled — he could very well be the fastest man on any legs — if he only gets the chance.

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"My dream is to compete in at least two Olympic Games," said Pistorius.

It is a dream within reach. Pistorius has been beating able-bodied athletes, finishing second in the 400 meter race at the South African nationals in early 2007. But his biggest obstacle to his Olympic goal isn't other runners.

<snip>

The International Association of Athletics Federations, the governing body of track and field events, said Pistorius' prosthetic limbs may not be a disability at all. Spokesman Robert Hersh said they may give him an edge over runners with legs.

<snip>

"I can't see that a prosthetic can be seen as an advantage," said Pistorius. "It is such a weird concept to think about."

[MistressOverdone]

1. One of those concepts

that you don't know whether it is great or awful.

Wonderful that prosthesis have reached that level, but sad that he might not be let in the race.

[Ezlivin]

2. Sorry, that's what the Paralympics are for

Guys in wheelchairs are faster than able-bodied runners in marathons. And now a guy with prosthetic limbs is (or could be) faster than able-bodied runners.

Let them compete with other handicapped athletes, not against non-handicapped athletes.

I'm in a wheelchair and know what it's like to go through the so-called "Super Gimp" stage in your life. I've worked with wheelchair athletes who'd push themselves to absurd limits, often just to prove they were "as good as any able-bodied person."

It's tough being different from others, but we have Senior Golf and Junior Olympics; people are categorized all the time and we just deal with it. If you are an amputee or a paralytic, the Paralympics are for you.

[Make7]

3. If he is allowed to compete in the Olympics,...

.... it may result in scores of other Olympic athletes voluntarily having their limbs amputated to also gain that extra advantage. I fear this would be the beginning of a very slippery slope...

:) Make7