Overcoming the Obstacles

 One reason I love the Olympics is not just about those who perform at the top of their sport, but those who overcome obstacles just for the right to be at the Olympics. This is about two people; one you most likely have heard about, the other may be new to you.

Oscar Pistorius is known all over the world for his attempts to compete at the top level of his sport. The South African runner was born with Fibular Hemimelia, a congential absence of the Fibula in both his legs. At 11 months he had both legs amputated below the knee.

Oscar's family never treated him like anyone different. He ran and played like any other kid. In fact he played rugby, water polo, wrestling and tennis. It was during rehabilitation from a rugby injury that he discovered running. He didn't look back.

Pistorius runs with Cheetah Flex-Foot carbon fibre trantibial artificial limbs. They look like blades, hence his nickname, the Blade Runner. He has been one of the top runners in the Paralympics, but wanted the opportunity to race with able-bodied athletes in the 400m.

The IAAF denied him the chance in the 2008 Olympics. His abilities with the Cheetahs are a source of controversy. The question has always been do the artificial limbs give him an edge in competition? The IAAF at the time felt it did, even though he had never won a contest versus able bodied athletes.

The Court of Arbitration of Sport decided there was no significant advantage to using the Cheetahs, and cleared him to run in Beijing if he qualified. He didn't qualify for the South African team. That changed in 2011, when he reached the "A" standard needed to qualify. South Africa put him on the team.

Last night Oscar Pistorius achieved his goal. He ran in the semi-finals of the 400m. He finished last, a full 2 seconds behind the world champion Kirani James.  At the end of the race, James came up to Oscar to not only congratulate him, but he asked to exchange bibs. That is an honor in the track world.

Pistorius may have finished last in the race, but he is first in admiration around the world. The controversy about him, and other disabled runners wishing to compete will continue.

Tahmina Kohistani has had to overcome something very different in order to compete in London. Kohistani is the only woman from Afghanistan allowed to compete in the Olympics. Her event is the 100m.

Afghanistan is a very conservative Muslim country. The Talban ruled for decades with an iron fist. We know some of what women endured during that time. And while there are some freedoms, this doesn't make it any easier for women.

Kohistani's training consisted of trying run in a local stadium, while men would harass her. They would yell at her how bad this is for her country, and how women shouldn't be running. He coach would constantly fight with the men who would try to get in her way to train.

The young woman from Afghanistan ran her 100m preliminary last week, finishing last in her heat - 14.42 second. Like Pistorius, she may have been last on the field, but the respect she earned equals a gold medal in my book.  Her goal now is to improve and come back in 2016 and compete in Rio with other women from her country.

It's very easy for us to gripe about our running, or the obstacles we think we overcome, like slow times, or aches and pains. We may not even like running in the heat or cold. Those really pale in comparison to those who risk so much just to be able to compete. I admire both of these people immensely. That are terrific examples of courage and determination. Good to think about the next I think I can't make it to mile 5.

Charlie