Blade Runner Banned from Olympics

[Cayal]

Originally Posted by flygin

So his times aren't close to the top runners anyway, and that is even with his using 25% less energy, and blades that are designed specifically for running. If his blades are altered, it sounds like he wouldn't even qualify for the olympics.

Taking drugs while competing even if they don't win is still cheating.

[Connavar]

Originally Posted by Overread

That is perhapse a little harsh. A person that does dope to cheat and win is setting out cheat from the start. This person is not setting out to cheat, but to compete. Unfortunatly for him his determination, dedication and scuess has led to the development of his blades - which have now led to his enhancement of his skills - namly the 25%boost.
Now I said it before, he should be allowed to compete if he changes his blades - removing the 25% bonus so that he is not gaining an advantage over the other competators - which is also something he is not out to do

The advantage is the same.

It makes him better than the others just like doping has shown.

You think doping makes Gatlin and co 100 % better ? its not even 25% if you look at the races they won when they were on drugs.

[Snowdog]

Originally Posted by Locksmith

I still come back to the case of Daniel Sadler, which I posted above. He was an able bodied athlete who wanted to compete in wheelchair races and was banned. Given the sorts of rationalisation we have discussed above - i.e. someone having an unfair advantage - it's difficult to justify that decision. He got no advantage in wheelchair racing from being able bodied.

I don't know the case or the reason given for banning him, but surely he must have a physical advantage over disabled athletes. His circulation and general fitness must be better. He can do much more varied training, including out of chair training, aerobic and stamina exercises denied to the others. While in competition it may be a level playing field, in training he has a big advantage.

[Aegon the Unworthy]

His times arent important. The IOC has to look at the precedent established. Its the next guy and the one after that that are important. Theres no telling if their times are going to be competitive. So in order to avoid being justifiably sued to let the next guy in, they avoid that legal pitfall. This is a dangerous precedent to set.

[Sephiroth]

If there are going to be more athletes using advanced prosthetics like this, then perhaps there should be a separate category for them.


Of course, that doesn't help Oscar Pistorius, while he's the only one. As I said before, it's a shame that there appears to be nowhere for him to compete.

But I appreciate the concerns the issue raises.

[mosaix]

Originally Posted by Manarion

So what do you suggest he do? Go into Olympic swimming?

It doesn't matter what he does. He can't go to the Olympics. So what? Neither can I.

I'd say this isn't very fair to him. Like has already been posted, his times are nowhere near the top runners, so I can't really see the issue with him having the so-called advantage.

The Olympics are about competing on an even basis. Everyone competes with what they were born with developed to the best of their ability. Even if a person coming in last was found to be taking drugs they'd still be punished. That fact that they didn't win is no excuse - they'd still have an advantage over the others that they wouldn't have had otherwise. There are only so many people allowed to compete in an event and they'd be depriving someone else from taking part - someone who hadn't cheated.