Oscar Pistorius has won his appeal and will now have a chance to qualify in the able bodied olympics.
I am extremely interested to hear what people think about the young South Africans ambitions and the decision that has been made in a sporting sense.
Maybe the gents over at Keo can throw in their ten cents about the topic. My mind is not made up, I am pretty torn. For every once scientist that is willing to say Pistorius is at an advantage over able-bodies athletes I am sure there is another who says he is not, so that makes the discussion very interesting.
I personally think that any technology can be tweaked just enough to give someone an edge, in a general sense, not specifically in relation to Pistorius.
But in general I think that this is one topic that I am very interesting to spark debate around.
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May 19th, 2008 at 10:18 am
I think its great for Oscar. He seems to be a great guy and works really hard to be the best.
But to be honest I think its a big mistake to let him compete. I don’t think it is about whether his prosthetics give him an advantage or not. At some point in the very near future it definitely will give him an advantage. What then? Will he be able to compete as long as he doesn’t use the Super Blade 3000, but the Super Blade 2000 is fine.
If prosthetics start to give athletes a definitive advantage what would stop the best sprinters to amputate their legs and get some blades as well. This might seem like a crazy claim but if you take in consideration how many athletes use steroids that can potentially kill them its not that far fetched.
Its just a matter of time, maybe 20 years, before people are readily going to have cyborg arms and legs. Normal people are already living with the fore runners of these technologies that would still seem like something only seen in Star wars to most people.
This issue has created a stir and i think its good for the IAAF and IOC to start thinking about laws allowing or prohibiting prosthetics as Oscar’s case will definitely not be the last.
May 19th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Yeah some good points Leon – it’s a tough one. I’ve been following Oscar’s plight for some time and I am hoping he gets there – he still has a significant task ahead of him to get in under the required time for the 400 – but he is a ‘special’ case. Look at his history and what he has done. He has had no lower legs for his entire life and yet has lived with it and kept pushing.
It’s the amount of time he’s been living like this, coupled with his incredible attitude (just read the interview on my blog) that brings him to this point.
But back to your very valid points – how do you draw the line between the 2000 and the 3000 version of the blade for example? In the end, it (may) be a tool to enhance performance. Or you could argue that it is not as good as a pair of calves and feet? It get’s very tricky to discern and quantify.
In summary though – in Oscar’s case – I’d say that for a sprinter, upper body and thighs are probably prevelant over lower legs and feet – and where he’s got to he’s earned, and I hope he can obtain that time and compete.
He is an extremely special case and fast forward 10 years (even if Oscar wins gold), you will not find double-amputees dominating Olympic medals. It’s to do with his nouse and from whence he’s come that makes him special. If Osafa Powell cut off his lower limbs and donned a pair of blades, I doubt he would be able to compete (this is a ridiulous argument I know!) – Oscar’s simply been walking / running on prosthetics for as long as he’s lived so he’s learnt to cope and adapt.
Come on Oscar!!
May 20th, 2008 at 4:50 am
Nay!! It’s not as if Mr. Pistorius has recently overcome the adversity of losing his lower limbs. He has had a lifetime to become accustomed to his “handicap”.
Let’s take a look at the anatomy of the male leg. The leg comprises about 10-15 percent of the body’s total weight, with an athlete on the high end of that figure. Ergo, on the average male of say 170 lb., the leg would weigh about 25.5 lb. Let’s assume that the upper part of the leg would constitute approximately 60 percent of that weight or 15 lb., give or take. That still leaves 10.5 lbs on the lower leg that must be manipulated by the quad and thigh muscles when striding or sprinting. Even if it is a given that the lower leg is the most aerodynamic limb on the body, it would be in no way comparable to the aerodynamics of the artificial appendages of Mr. Pistorious.
Aeordynamics aside, a couple of other undeniable facts remain. First, the weight of each carbon fibre prothesis is most likely no more than 2-3 lbs., approximately 1/4 to 1/5 of a typical male lower leg. Secondly, the shape of the prosthetic “foot” would give a spring-rebound effect, which would lessen the impact of the “foot” on the running surface, and quicken the recoil of the lower leg during sprinting.
Since the large muscles of the upper leg do most of the work, I can see many advantages and no real disadvantage to Mr. Pistorius, accustomed as he is to his disability. One look at the development of his upper leg muscles should convince anyone of the power potential he has available during sprinting.
Bravo to Mr. Pistorius for what he has accomplished to this point. But one should not close one’s eyes to the wonders of modern technology combined with that of determined athletic endeavour, a combination that seeks to circumvent the purity of athleticism.
May 20th, 2008 at 8:20 am
I say nay, though I respect what Oscar’s done. I just think there is too much evidence that he has a pacing advantage others don’t have and that it needs to be looked at much more closely before making him eligible.
I made a page about Oscar Pistorius and his life that has a place where everyone can the debate.
http://www.squidoo.com/oscar_pistorius
May 20th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Nay.
It sets a dangerous precedent. For example, let’s say I have lost a lung and I need a breathing tank of pure oxygen to run.
Should I be allowed to compete in the Olympics breathing pure oxygen, a massive advantage over anyone else?
It’s the same thing as false legs.
May 20th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Quite frankly I’m not really interested in whether it gives him an advantage or not…maybe I am wrong!! What I am interested in, and proud of, is Oscar’s spirit and determination not to the leave the matter where it lay and to pusue it. Man what an example to the youth of our nation showing them in practice that all things are possible with hard work and determination!!! True South African spirit and determination…thats what I see!!
May 20th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
He must run and he must kick butt!
Well done son.
You are a top class … sorry WORLD class athlete – amongst the best in the world.
Give them carrots. The technology didn’t make him the success. He is a hardworking athlete with a limited career lifespan. He must get and take every opportunity that comes his way!
May 20th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
nay !
May 20th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
I am a sport scientist and have been following this really closely. As much as i am proud of Oscar and what he has done, i still have some doubts. Check out Science of Sport blog… (http://scienceofsport.blogspot.com/) If you are interested in the science behind these decisions made about Oscar. I personally feel he should not be allowed to compete and its nothing against Oscar or his abilities as an athlete, but the science speaks for itself. The research done by Oscar and his team was not overseen by anyone in the IOC or IAAF an is still yet to be unveiled, seems a bit suspect to me. I think the implications for future sport in this regard hangs in the balance a bit here.
May 21st, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Check out his site: http://www.oscarpistorius.co.za/show.asp?id=524
And specifically the bottom left video. Really interested to see what the scientists who’ve commented think about that. I think it’s quite ridiculous we go on about the precedent it could set etc. This guy is unique. You can clearly see how in a few short years he has physically developed and grown just like any other committed athlete. If you believe that he gets less from the graphite thatn he puts in (in terms of ‘springs’) and that the weight differential isn’t material, then why would you have an issue?
May 21st, 2008 at 3:23 pm
I’m still not actually sure if I do have an issue. I am incredibly proud of the guy for accomplishing what he has and sticking to his guns. You know? But I still often just wonder if it is inherently right.
The main point in my mind is fatigue. There is alot of fatigue that enters the equation in a 400 metre race. And if you have less muscles to fatigue then maybe you can compete at a higher rate?
But then surely his other muscles are working overtime to make up for lacking in his lower legs? I just can’t make up my mind on this one.
October 9th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
i have followed oscars life every since he first step foot on pbhs rugby feild and from that day forward i have looked upto oscar and i have so much respect for him it is ridiulous.so to all of u who dislike oscar can go stick ur damn head in the sand as oscar has achieved what most athletes dream of doing.
DONT HATE THE PLAYA HATE THE GAME SUCKAS
July 1st, 2011 at 2:48 am
Your article was ecelxlent and erudite.