Pistorius more able than able-bodied
That’s the ruling from the IAAF: Oscar Pistorius, the South African athlete who runs with two artificial legs and holds several paralympic world records, has an artificial advantage over able-bodied runners, and won’t be permitted to compete in this year’s Beijing Olympics. To quote:
Paralympic 400m star Oscar Pistorius has failed in his bid to compete at this year’s Olympic Games in Beijing.
The IAAF, athletics’ governing body, ruled his prosthetic limbs give him an advantage over able-bodied opponents and contravene rules on technical aids.
A scientific study revealed that Pistorius, nicknamed “Blade Runner”, used 25% less energy than able-bodied runners to run at the same speed.
The 21-year-old South African said last week he would appeal against any ban.
“I feel that it is my responsibility, on behalf of other disabled athletes, to stand firm,” he said. “I will appeal [against] this decision at the highest levels, while also continuing with my quest to race in the Paralympic Games and hopefully the Olympic Games.”
Here’s hoping he succeeds. After all, if his advantage is due to his legs, why is he leagues ahead of other runners who use the same type of legs? Methinks the able-bodied runners are scared of being upstaged. Wimps.
Update: A friend comments: “They should ban Kenyans too — they have a 25% greater lung capacity than the rest of us.” Hehe. Indeed.
Although Pistorious is an athlete I admire and look up to, I’m of the camp that believes he doesn’t belong in the Olympics. There are several reasons why, but they argued best in the Science of Sport (http://www.scienceofsport.blogspot.com). The tricky part of this is trying to exclude emotions out of the debate. Another point, why haven’t his fellow paralympic athletes come to his support? Perhaps they have, but they certainly haven’t been vocal.
(Here’s a permalink to the Science of Sport post. — Ivo)
Good summary, indeed. I find it hard to believe, however. If he gains such a spectacular advantage, why isn’t he beating the pants off able-bodied athletes? He looks pretty fit and strong to me. And why is he so much faster than other runners with exactly the same prostheses?
Some athletes have supported his bid, but others — especially a few international paralympic athletes — don’t appear to be very well disposed towards him. I’m speculating, but I suspect professional jealousy plays a part here. By contrast, South African able-bodied athletes have been very accepting of Pistorius, and he has been permitted entry into local competitions.
Besides, if he expends 25% less energy, he also has 25% less body to expend energy with… ;-)