An international sports arbitration panel has overturned a ruling by the International Association of Athletics Federations saying that South African paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius can't compete in the Beijing Olympics. Pistorius is a double-amputee who runs on artificial legs made of carbon fiber. The International Association of Athletics Federations ruled against Pistorius competing in the Beijing Games in January. Pistorius appealed that decision and the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that there was insufficient scientific evidence available to ban the prothetics as technical aids. This means he is eligible to compete against able-bodied athletes.
Critics argue that his prosthetic legs, the Cheetah Flex-Foot, give him an unfair advantage on the track.
- Read more articles at Google News
- Listen to NPR's interview with Oscar Pistorius.
Pistorius hasn't yet qualified for the 2008 Olympics, but hopes to qualify in the upcoming trials.
What do you think? Do carbon fiber prothetics give Pistorius an advantage?
(Add your comments below.)
Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images
if you talk to any runner that races 400meters or less they will all tell you. Run on your toes, extend, lift your knees. without having toes this is almost impossible to do all at one time. having artificial limbs is hard enough to learn to walk on, much less run. More power to this guy.
I say “God Bless Him” and let him run!!
Bottom line; no, he should not be allowed to compete with able-bodied athletes. Next thing you know a swimmer with both feet amputated will have carbon fiber size 20’s. Get real folks, this is a recipe for abuse and should not even be considered.
From a technical point of view, maybe in the future if in finals you see more runners with cheeta legs than others it could be considered, but at present a person without legs is enough handicap to begin with. Therefor its pure discrimination to leave him out.
I was under the impression that a specific organization was created in 1960 just for people with such disabilities. I’m sure Mr. Pistorius would fare quite well in the Paralympics, but it is unfair that his spring-loaded carbon fibre prosthetics would be used in competition against able-bodied athletes utilizing their own muscles. Certain shoes are banned from the Olympics, and this guy can wear giant springs??
just think about the future one person now is getting in soon it will be paralympics vs able-bodied and he’s allowed to just cos there’s no law against it … obviously there isnt cos no one expected this to happen and it shouldnt it’ll just turn out to be technology vs man and if they enhance the legs isnt that just like abled-bodied athletes taking steroids for better performance .. whats the regulation on the way they’re made whats gona happen if in the future one person doesnt get in because they made the legs just a lil too springy but he or she qualified … just wanna know if he wins will it cause contoversy or will most able-bodied athletes just be happy for the guy taken what could have been their gold silver or bronze. its just not right
im glad that nowadays man can still walk without legs, but to compete in olympic games? no.. its not natural and thats why not fair. sorry, but im against
Before the naive say he has “springs” on his legs, i would say you should reserve judgement until you find out what the artificial legs are actually doing for the athlete. None of the people commenting know whether this man’s running ability is enhanced or limited by the prosthetics. Put springs on your shoes and let me know if your speed doubled by the way…
The real question is not whether a handicapped runner can compete in the Olympics. He can. Anybody can.
The question is whether a certain type of equipment should be allowed. If that equipment is deemed legal, then any athlete may take advantage of it, even able-bodied runners.
I beleive Oscar is a good racer he deserved to be in the Olympics>
Hi! I would like to know how and where to purchase that cabon fibre runnung leg.My leg is amputated below the knee.Please email me with any info.nizaamemaan@yahoo.com