Should a double amputee be allowed to run in the Olympics?

San Diego, California

Jul 18, 2012 @ 06:36:31

Immediately, one would think, "Of course!"

Think again.

400 meter record holder Michael Johnson says otherwise, as he says the advanced prosthetic limbs that allow Oscar Pristorius gives him an unfair advantage.

https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/olympics-fourth-place-medal/michael-johnson-opens-mouth-again-calls-oscar-pistorius-175433251--oly.html

This reminded me of the golf cart controversy over a decade ago for a disabled golfer that had the PGA divided.

What do you think?

0

Edited: July 18, 2012 @ 06:45

Coleosis

Don't care

Mustang, Oklahoma

#2

Jul 18, 2012 @ 10:18:34

The special olympics...

0

sister_of_mercy

London, United Kingdom

#3

Jul 18, 2012 @ 10:24:00

I can kind of see why there'd be a problem in the normal olympics. There is the Paralympics for people in similar situations though.

0

boxerdc

Deleted

,

#4

Jul 18, 2012 @ 12:20:15

If he can make the team, he should be allowed to participate.

1

BozieFozie

Life's a Beach

Paradise, Florida

#5

Jul 18, 2012 @ 12:27:22

I LOVE this website! 100% yes!!!

0

drummerwannabe

Travel Junkie

In a drum.., Minnesota

#6

Jul 18, 2012 @ 12:27:44

I know that there's Paralympics which is great. But I think if someone wants to try in the regular olympics, they should be able to. I don't think the guy has an advantage over people. There have been many runners with prosthetics and I didn't hear of them breaking the human running record because they have "modern technology" attached to their legs.

I think Johnson just wants attention and doesn't want the possibility of someone beating him.

I think it would be really interesting to see how the amputee runner will do.

0

Edited: July 18, 2012 @ 12:28

boxerdc

Deleted

,

#7

Jul 18, 2012 @ 12:43:46

If Johnson really thinks it gives him an unfair advantage, then he should have both legs amputated just below the knee, so he can have the same "unfair advantage".

0

jonnythan

Bringer of rad mirth

Deleted

Here and there,

#8

Jul 18, 2012 @ 12:52:17

I say no.

There's no possible way to make the prostheses "equal" to normal legs. Whether it's an advantage or disadvantage no one can say. All we can say is that it's different.

What if he wins? What if this guy goes out there and beats Usain Bolt? Would anyone be able to definitively say "it was a 100% fair contest; Pristorious is just a better runner than Usain"? I don't think so.

0

Leon

San Diego, California

#9

Jul 18, 2012 @ 15:36:52

@drummerwannabe Said

I know that there's Paralympics which is great. But I think if someone wants to try in the regular olympics, they should be able to. I don't think the guy has an advantage over people. There have been many runners with prosthetics and I didn't hear of them breaking the human running record because they have "modern technology" attached to their legs.

I think Johnson just wants attention and doesn't want the possibility of someone beating him.

I think it would be really interesting to see how the amputee runner will do.

That's the thing. He has qualified for the regular Olympics, which means that he has knocked others out of the competition. He is even a threat to win a medal. And doctors have determined that the state of the art prosthetic limbs give him an advantage over what he otherwise would have had were he to have legs.

0

jonnythan

Bringer of rad mirth

Deleted

Here and there,

#10

Jul 18, 2012 @ 15:38:51

@drummerwannabe Said

I know that there's Paralympics which is great. But I think if someone wants to try in the regular olympics, they should be able to. I don't think the guy has an advantage over people. There have been many runners with prosthetics and I didn't hear of them breaking the human running record because they have "modern technology" attached to their legs.

I think Johnson just wants attention and doesn't want the possibility of someone beating him.

I think it would be really interesting to see how the amputee runner will do.

If he wants to run in the Olympics, let him qualify just like everyone else: without the use of prosthetic attachments.

0

x_Laura_x

Nowhere, United Kingdom

#11

Jul 18, 2012 @ 15:42:04

Isn't this what the Paralympics is for?

0

Leon

San Diego, California

#12

Jul 18, 2012 @ 15:44:01

I think my solution would be to create an independent board of doctors and technicians that should rule someone's eligibility based on a determination of whether or not the devices give an advantage over normal ability in any way.

0

jonnythan

Bringer of rad mirth

Deleted

Here and there,

#13

Jul 18, 2012 @ 15:44:03

What happens when a guy wearing prosthetic spring-legs sets a new world record?

Do we just accept it? Do we put an asterisk next to the world record and list it alongside the previous "full-legged" WR?

0

townie_guy

Deleted

, United Kingdom

#14

Jul 18, 2012 @ 15:45:58

If an amputee set a world record I would be impressed. Very impressed, that would earn a lot of respect in my books.

0

Leon

San Diego, California

#15

Jul 18, 2012 @ 15:46:38

@x_Laura_x Said

Isn't this what the Paralympics is for?

Yes and he has regularly competed in those, and always wins. However, the Paralympics do not have the prestige and world stage that the regular Olympics do. They were created for those who cannot reach that higher tier of competition due to their disability.

0

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