Oscar Pistorius was found to have a mechanical advantage over able-bodied athletes last December. In January, he was banned from international competition by the IAAF, Track & Field’s governing body.
Oscar challenged the ruling before the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland. They felt that the rule that was in question (IAAF Rule 144.2(e): use of any technical device that incorporates springs, wheels or any other element that provides the user with an advantage over another athlete not using such a devise) was enacted specifically with Pistorius in mind and that the results of last year’s study were biased against him.
CAS did not feel that there was enough evidence one way or the other to justify banning Pistorius from competition, which means that he is free to run in the Olympic Games this Summer if he can run a fast enough qualifying time.
IAAF President Lamine Diack has made the following comment:
“The IAAF accepts the decision of CAS and Oscar will be welcomed wherever he competes this summer. He is an inspirational man and we look forward to admiring his achievements in the future.”
I still feel that he probably does have a mechanical advantage from his “Cheetah” blades, but I also doubt that that advantage offsets the disadvantage that he has from 20% to 25% less blood volume than folks who have both legs.
If he does run, and does manage to win a medal or even set a record, then how do you handle the situation? If it takes 2 or 3 years to determine any advantages that he may or may not have, can you retroactively reach back from that point to award the proper person their honors? Or do you withhold those honors from Pistorius while you continue to do the research? Which is the more problematic situation?
For myself, I hope that he does do well. I don’t want him to beat any Americans, of course, but I’d like to see him do well behind us, if only to force the IAAF and the research scientists to come to a definitive conclusion and to stop dragging this out.
Of course, the real question now is whether or not he can even qualify to run in the Olympics or not. What are your predictions?
(More Info: IAAF)
I heard about this story and knew I could count on you to have written something about it.
I too hope Oscar does well and that if he medals, he should be awarded the medal. They are allowing him to compete, and therefore he should get the medal regardless of whether he has an advantage or not.
Now, that said, I don’t personally think he should be allowed to compete. I too feel that he has a mechanical advantage, or even if he doesn’t we can’t really ever know. But if the IOC allows him to run then they should have to give him his medal if he wins.
Good job for being persistent Oscar, though I disagree with the decision. He is fighting for something that is important to him.
Not sure I agree that he has a mechanical advantage. That conclusion is not supported by the latest science.
In the Olympics they allow people to wear all kinds of equipment that gives them an unfair advantage. The swimmer suits that cut down resistance for example.
This seems no different to me.
The difference is that any other swimmer can put on the suit. Also the suit has to be approved.
I saw the results while on vacation. I have mixed feelings because it’s hard to imagine putting myself in his situation.
He must think how can people believe he has an advantage over able bodied folks. Would he be the same type of runner with the drive and dedication he currently has if he was not disabled?
I do believe that since he has been given the okay to compete, no retroactive actions should be taken if future changes are made to the use of prosthetics. He is competing within the current ruling.
As prosthetics do improve, Oscar has paved the way for the need of research and science to accomodate or set the rules for current and future competitions.
I say that it’s a great move forward to consider the in sports’ competitions.