Comments on: "Blade Runner" Wins Olympic Appeal

Court Rules Double-Amputee Oscar Pistorius Can Compete For Spot On Sprint Team

[jn4ggs]

it is just a matter of time until robot legs are better than real legs and then only double amputees will be competitive at the Olympic level.

he should not be allowed to compete against people with real legs

[sneakee1]

Runners-of which I am-can "prepare" for the sport at ANY time. I understand the trial may be time consuming but if he was that serious, getting "out of shape" would never be an issue. In the end this will be much ado about nothing since he will not be competitive at his current times. I wish him well also because I am an amputee.

[gangesdak]

This young man has lost his legs, and yet he wants to compete with the best at the Olympics. That is good enough reason for him to participate. All this talk about him getting unfair advantage is sheer bullock. Rest of the competitors have unfair advantage of having all their God given limbs in place.

[denisep8]

I do not have the data regarding the possible advantage of his prosthetics, nor, I imagine, do any of the others who are posting opinions.

That said, it is possible that the device allows for some biodynamic advantages natural legs do not have.

I hope a thorough analysis has been made first of the device as a unique element, then as it is used in his running. The latter in particular would require much testing under varied conditions to obtain data points of value.

However, and this is the critical part overlooked in common conversation on this topic, to do an accurate analysis the possible biodynamic *disadvantages* must also be analyzed.

That is, the stresses exerted on the body, for example, the changes in natural stride created by the use of this device (albeit a necessary and wonderful option given the circumstances, must also be part of the equation or the analysis is incomplete.


If a thorough biodynamic assessment has been completed looking at both the potential advantages and disadvantages, and the net result is no advantage over those with natural legs, then I cannot conceive of a fairness issue.


This concern notwithstanding, I find his courage and determination inspiring.

[valis667]

"They have real legs and the added weight that goes alone with them. Secondly, his composite blades give him an unfair advantage..."

Well, if you people really think he has an unfair advantage, then cut off your legs! Go ahead, I dare you! Cut off your legs and see what kind of advantage you get.

[valis667]

"They have real legs and the added weight that goes alone with them. Secondly, his composite blades give him an unfair advantage..."

Well, if you people really think he has an unfair advantage, then cut off your legs! Go ahead, I dare you! Cut off your legs and see what kind of advantage you get.

[denisep8]

I do not have the data regarding the possible advantage of his prosthetics, nor, I imagine, do any of the others who are posting opinions.

That said, it is possible that the device allows for some biodynamic advantages natural legs do not have.

I hope a thorough analysis has been made first of the device as a unique element, then as it is used in his running. The latter in particular would require much testing under varied conditions to obtain data points of value.

However, and this is the critical part overlooked in common conversation on this topic, to do an accurate analysis the possible biodynamic *disadvantages* must also be analyzed.

That is, the stresses exerted on the body, for example, the changes in natural stride created by the use of this device (albeit a necessary and wonderful option given the circumstances, must also be part of the equation or the analysis is incomplete.


If a thorough biodynamic assessment has been completed looking at both the potential advantages and disadvantages, and the net result is no advantage over those with natural legs, then I cannot conceive of a fairness issue.


This concern notwithstanding, I find his courage and determination inspiring.

[valis667]

"They have real legs and the added weight that goes alone with them. Secondly, his composite blades give him an unfair advantage..."

Well, if you people really think he has an unfair advantage, then cut off your legs! Go ahead, I dare you! Cut off your legs and see what kind of advantage you get.

[valis667]

"They have real legs and the added weight that goes alone with them. Secondly, his composite blades give him an unfair advantage..."

Well, if you people really think he has an unfair advantage, then cut off your legs! Go ahead, I dare you! Cut off your legs and see what kind of advantage you get.

[taylor2124]

Guyfrompa45 has a great point here. Pistorius is a superb runner, but he is still not quite in the class of the world''s top 50 400m runners, the cream of the crop. There is no way he is going to be able to compete for a medal or get further than a quarterfinal with the times he is putting up. He is fast, but he''s not fast enough.

[valis667]

"They have real legs and the added weight that goes alone with them. Secondly, his composite blades give him an unfair advantage..."

Well, if you people really think he has an unfair advantage, then cut off your legs! Go ahead, I dare you! Cut off your legs and see what kind of advantage you get.

[valis667]

"They have real legs and the added weight that goes alone with them. Secondly, his composite blades give him an unfair advantage..."

Well, if you people really think he has an unfair advantage, then cut off your legs! Go ahead, I dare you! Cut off your legs and see what kind of advantage you get.

[cbronson1955]

This guy should be made to stay in the paralympics. His lawyer''s statement it total BS.

"He simply has the chance now to compete fairly and equally,"

First of all, he is not equal to his competitors. They have real legs and the added weight that goes alone with them. Secondly, his composite blades give him an unfair advantage because they are lightweight and springy. If this is allowed, you''ll see him competing in the high jump too!

[martin9p2]

If Pistorius runs with times that are similar to able-bodied Olympians after not training very hard (because of taking time for the legal battle), it will show that the prosthetics do indeed give him an advantage.