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Should he be allowed to compete against able bodied athletes on an even footing?
Yes, in my opinion.
Yes, his story is inspiring and that is part of what the olympics is about.
on an even footing
Boom Tish
No. Simply put, he is not on an even footing. His achilles tendon will never snap or tire. His lower legs are significantly lighter and stronger than those of an able bodied athlete. Etc. It's sad to have to say that I don't think he should, as his athletic prowess is without question.
IT was either that or "on the same standing"
Hmm - Wonder if he'll take a 4*4 relay leg.
How d you missed using the phrase "leg to stand on" is lost on me tbh.Your trolling powers seem weak today.
Do his prosthetics give him additional energy on each step? I think they do.
So no its not right.
My opinion of course.
No. Flash is right - he has an advantage over the other competitors.
But you know what? I'm chuffed he is. Inspirational.
Don't see why not, that is unless his prosthetic limbs gave him an advantage.
I mean it wouldn't be fair putting a wheel chaired athlete up against an able bodies runner in a marathon as the wheel chair rider (don't know the correct phrase) would batter them, David Weir is just about 30 minutes quicker than the fastest London marathon winner.
bullheart - Member
No. Flash is right - he has an advantage over the other competitors.But you know what? I'm chuffed he is. Inspirational.
I can do nothing but agree with the above.
They haven't been able to conclusively prove that he does get an advantage though, hence the CAS overrule allowing him to compete.
In the words of [url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/14222922.stm ]Roger Black[/url]
We don't know if Oscar is an amazing athlete, or a very good athlete with an advantage.
Let him compete. if he starts winning everything then he should be encouraged to retire.
Personally I don't think he has an advantage. His prosthetics store energy but so does an Achilles tendon and he has no calf muscle.
Agree with him being an inspiration but as long as there is doubt as to whether he gains an advantage or not my feeling is he shouldn't be allowed to compete.
How did the CAS assess whether he had an advantage or not? And as a consequence are there any rules on the design of his prosthetics? What happens if he gets a new improved set and knocks half a second off his PB?
Cheating the boundaries of physics.
Agree with him being an inspiration but as long as there is doubt as to whether he gains an advantage or not my feeling is he shouldn't be allowed to compete.How did the CAS assess whether he had an advantage or not? And as a consequence are there any rules on the design of his prosthetics? What happens if he gets a new improved set and knocks half a second off his PB?
This. I don't think the comparison with Achilles tendons holds up, it's just not the same thing. Legs aren't necessarily the best thing for converting your energy into forward motion, so he might well have something better.
So a woman was banned for looking masculine yet all checks proved she was female but a guy can run using prosthetics which they have no idea if there is a performance gain.
This athletics lark is worse than road cycling.
surely any gain from the blade at the bottom of the prosthetic would be offset by the cup strapping at the top (which will have some inherent flex in it)
I say let him compete
It's a tough call. If he competes and does well how much research will go into improving the blades and how much in turn will that give an advantage over organic limbs? Food for thought and a good subject for debate!