I first heard of Oscar Pistorius less than a year ago on a Final Sprint podcast. He is a 21 year old South African who was born without the fibula in his lower legs and has other defects. He uses carbon-fiber devices known as Cheetahs, which are prostheitcs. He has a strong desire to compete in the 2008 Olympics. Note, I did not say the Paralympics. I am talking about the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing in August.
It looks like his bid to compete is about to be denied. The I.A.A.F. feels the Cheetahs give Pistorius an advantage other athletes do not have. I have to disagree, and feel he should compete. He has competed fairly in events around the world, and should be given a chance to show what he can do on THE world stage.
George Vecsey of the New York Times disagrees with me.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/10/sports/othersports/10vecsey.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Vecsey comes on the side of the IAAF, but in reading the article, I am really not sure why, other than he feels the prosthetic breaks a rule. In this case the rule is wrong. Pistorius may not come close to winning a medal. His times are closer to female Olympic counterparts who have won medals in the past. It is doubtful he would win a Gold, Silver or Bronze. Then again the Olympic ideal is not always about winning the gold, but the participating in the sport.
Shame on the IAAF.
Charlie
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