Oscar Pistorius has apologized for an outburst after losing the 200m final in the Paralympic Games last week — accusing Brazil’s Alan Fonteles Cardoso Oliveira of securing an advantage by “blades” that were slightly longer and more springy. It is a controversy that reignited questions of whether Pistorius should have been allowed to run in the Olympics.
Pistorius came in second just behind Alan Fonteles Cardoso Oliveira, who won in 21.45 seconds. Pistorius immediately protested, saying “we aren’t racing a fair race.” He filed a challenge based on the length of his opponents running blades. The longer blades used by Oliveria are only approved for the Paralympic games and not approved use by the IAAF, the sport’s governing body. Pistorius could not use the longer blades and qualify for the regular Olympics.
Pistorius made many of the arguments raised by those who opposed his entry in the Olympics:
“He’s never run a 21 second race before. That’s fact. He was running high 23s less than a year ago so you just need to look at the facts behind it. I brought it up with the IPC but nothing’s been done about it. I believe in the fairness in sport and I believe in running on the right length . . . I’ve never seen a guy come back from eight metres on the 100 metre mark and overtake me on the finish line.”
However, Oliviera noted “I am below the maximum length of blades I could have been,” he pointed out. “I don’t know who he is picking a fight with. It is not about two blades, it is about training.”
While few people question Pistorius’ extraordinary achievements as an athlete, but there remains the question of whether the Olympic Committee made a critical mistake in losing the bright line rule that athletes cannot use any type of prosthetic device. Since Pistorius was also running in the Paralympics, there remains the question of the distinction if athletes can use prosthetics to run in either or both. What do you think?
Source: Guardian
I hardly comment, but after looking at through a few of the comments here Pistorius Challenges
Blades of Opponent After Losing Paralympic Race | JONATHAN TURLEY.
I actually do have 2 questions for you if you don’t mind. Is it simply me or does it seem like some of these responses appear as if they are written by brain dead individuals? 😛 And, if you are writing at additional places, I’d
like to follow anything fresh you have to post. Could you list of the complete urls of all your social networking
sites like your Facebook page, twitter feed, or linkedin profile?
Jessica alba fakes naked boobs ‘ve got ill-fated days.
I think that amputee runners should be able to compete in the regular olympics; but only if they can qualify without using carbon blades or any technology other than shorts, a shirt, and running shoes. May be difficult, but life sometimes is.
I have no idea what I think until I run a mile in his blades
I cannot but think these blades are a danger to other competitors on a regulation track. The lanes should be modified wider for these runners.
“… indicates that his ego may diminish his ability to understand the dichotomy of his beliefs.”
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Mike Spindell you are a wise and decent man…..
Performance enhancing drugs in Olympics and rogue blades in the paralympics. Are the Special Olmypics next?
It seems pretty obvious that you should not compete in the Olympics with blades.
I was sympathetic at first with Pistorius running in the Olympics and that continued until I learned that he was also competing in the Paralympics. At that point it seemed that you can’t have it both ways. This challenge of his gives lie to the fact that the blades don’t give him an unfair advantage and also indicates that his ego may diminish his ability to understand the dichotomy of his beliefs.
once prostheses are brought in the path for abuse is there, its only a matter of time. What did he say about Olympians complaining about his blades when he ran against them?
Competition in either the Olympics or Paralympics should foreclose the athlete from competing in the other. Simple.
^^^^THIS^^^
I think it is BS…..