Man Becomes First Amputee to Compete in World Championships
- Posted on August 9, 2011 at 1:15pm by
Liz Klimas
- Print »
- Email »
Oscar Pistorius qualified as the first amputee to compete alongside able-bodied athletes in the International Athletic Association’s (IAAF) World Championships at the end of this month:
For the 24-year-old double amputee on the South African team, participating in this year’s World Championships is an achievement after his bid to enter the 2008 Olympics was initially denied by the IAAF. The IAAF ruled at that time that his prosthetic limbs, which have earned him the nickname “Blade Runner,” gave him an unfair advantage over able-bodied runners. In 2007, the IAAF banned any device that “provides the user with an advantage over another athlete not using such a device.”
Pistorius appealed against the ban and the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned the IAAF’s ruling later that year. Pistorius was then able to compete for a qualifying spot in the 2008 Olympics, but did not achieve a qualifying time.
Oscar Pistorious wears Flex-Foot Cheetah's, which are custom-built carbon fiber feet designed for sporting activities. (Oscar Pistorius)
“This will be the highest-profile and most prestigious able-bodied event which I have ever competed in, and I will face the highest-calibre of athletes from across the planet,” he told the BBC.
Clocking in at 45.07 seconds, just inside the 45.70 second cutoff, Pistorius will run in the 400-meter and 4×400 relay events. The 2011 World Championships are being held in Daegu, South Korea, from August 27 to September 4, 2011.
Comments (28)
Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 706 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 547 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 364 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 361 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 360 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 360 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 364 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
- President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 280 Comments
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 149 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 302 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 360 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
ask2vinay
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 4:42amhttp://www.vepaar.net/2012/06/13/get-going-to-grow-ahead/ has used your images and put his copyright
Report Post »ask2vinay
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 2:34amand also on – http://netvepaar.wordpress.com/2012/06/13/get-going-to-grow-ahead/
Report Post »db321
Posted on August 11, 2011 at 6:30pmPut a couple of Jet Engines on those blades.
Report Post »Jack2011
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 7:12pmThis is the same cheating South Africa which allowed a “woman” runner with no ovaries but
Report Post »internal male testes cranking out testosterone to compete against normal women runner saying the Hermaphrodite had no advantage.
Jack2011
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 7:10pmThe guy has an unfair advantage and should not be able to race against men with 2 legs.
However, this is the same cheating South Africa which allowed a “woman” runner with no ovaries but
Report Post »internal male testes cranking out testosterone to compete against normal women runner saying the Hermaphrodite had no advantage.
http://www..wikipedia.org/wiki/Caster_Semenya
LOOK AT THE PICTURES OF THIS “WOMAN?”
http://www.goodsearch.com/searchimage.aspx?keywords=Caster+Semenya+
grayd88
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 5:04pmI guess if I were a two-legged guy who got beat by a bilateral amputee in a foot race I would be making excuses too. Unfair advantage my eye. Walk a mile in his prostheses and tell me its an unfair advantage. Liberals suck because they exist.
Report Post ».
jjmnky
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 6:01pmI’m sorry you are not educated enough to understand the physics involved.
Report Post »jjmnky
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 3:56pmThis may be a touchy topic because he may be at a significantly unfair advantage. If his prosthetics are lighter in weight than a natural lower extremity it allows for a faster gate cycle. Also, the energy storing and returning characteristics of those prosthetics work with ground reaction force to create an advantage over natural lower extremities in short distance running events where accleration makes up a high percent of the total race distance.
Report Post »Dano.50
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 9:45pmJJMNKY
I do understand the physics of such devices and last I heard the jury is still out on the matter.
A real problem could be that competators have “accidents” in order to gain a pereceived advantage. Such techniques have been used in many other sports.
But here’s another point. I’m left handed, and have had to adapt, to play right handed equipment in everything from sports to the work place.
Recently I learned bowling favors left handed people because right handers wear the lanes out on the right side.
Did right handed bowlers learn to bowl left handed?
Nope. They whined about lefties unfair advantage.
Also, I watched several shows about junior cart racing. Two dwarf brothers had the advantage of lighter weight.
In every sport I know, the advantage goes to the competator whose body is best suited to the sport and now here are some situations where people who are at a disadvantage the majority of the time, (You righties try doing anything left handed.) have the advantage and the rest of the competion whines.
Why didn’t righties earn to bowl left handed?
And quick acceleration is only part of racing.
Nobody whines that jockies are of short stature. It’s just part of the sport.
I recently met an amputee and let me tell you, he just has different obstacles he has to overcome. If it’s proven that their artificial limbs store and release energy better, then fine. But until then, as I have often been told, “Suck it up,, Prince
Report Post »The Voice of Libertarian Reason
Posted on August 10, 2011 at 9:45amActually Dano, it has been proven that the device stores and releases energy unlike a human leg. I guess you don’t understand the physics involved after all.
This has nothing to do with a physical advantage such as high, weight, or which hand you are dominant with. When the piece of metal attached to his leg is compressed by gravity pulling his weight toward the earth the piece of metal has stored energy. When gravity pulls a real human leg toward the earth the perosn who is attached to that leg will use more energy to pick that leg up and take a step/stride than the person with the metal leg (with stored energy). Yes, I’m an engineer, I understand physics.
It is truely unfortunate that this man can not compete against other men with real legs. But life isn’t fair, and we need to play the hand we were delt. Maybe he can start a new league for amputees to compete in.
Report Post »REDBLOODEDHUSKER
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 3:48pmSaw this man run against some of the pros in a lesser event on TV earlier in the year. Very inspiring!
Report Post »jjmnky
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 3:46pmThis is a little bit of a touchy topic. He could be at a significant advantage in running events, especially short distance events where more of the overall distance is acceleration phase. The light weight and energy return to ground reaction forces of his prosthetics are the cause of this possible advantage.
Report Post »islandlady
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 3:21pmPeople with disablilties sometimes, many times over, compensate with greater abilites. They have the determination to overcome these disabilities which drives them further than the average person.
Report Post »There is an important place for individuals with disabilites in society when they are able to find their niche. I believe their individual acheivements adds to their sense of belonging and increases their healthy outlook on life, and their ability to add to society as a whole. Awsome!
LetUsReason
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 3:07pmThis is pretty cool. Just a few more adjustments and we’ve got Robocop. But seriously, he runs really well. Not hindered at all. And he can be as tall as he wants!
Report Post »thinkinghuman
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 2:51pmSome people are so stoopid if they think this guy has some “advantage” over others, the stilts do NOT have motors on them. It is not a bicycle. It does not have a jet pack. The power to move the man comes from the man’s thighs. It is a disadvantage because the man does not have the added BENEFIT of the calf muscles working to move him, the feet muscles to keep his balance and spring forward with the toes, etc. etc. He is at a disadvantage for sure. Let him run and admire his courage AND gift to be able to make all that work. He is AMAZING.
Report Post »jim
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 2:41pmLeaves the door wide open for any gadgets… like bionic legs. Pretty soon Steve Austin will be competing.
Report Post »Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 2:22pmStay in the special Olympics. At some point we may find athletes lobbying to compete in those…
Report Post »Stop all this correctness. We should celebrate ALL of man’s achievements! Stop trying to force A.D.D and other square ‘disabilities into round holes while your at it. It is a disservice to focus away from hidden talents that are otherwise called ‘disabilities’
13th Imam
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 2:18pmGreat thing. If the device gives him an advantage, I say no. If it puts him on par ,OK.
Report Post »encinom
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 2:36pmI agree with you, and that is my only problem with this, if the legs have any advantage (no muscle cramps, no sprains, no build up of lactive acid in the muscles) it is unfair to the other runners.
Report Post »temple62
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 2:16pmPut the cord around your neck and do it quietly so as to NOT attract attention. What a bunch of stupid we have among us!!!
Report Post »nysparkie
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 2:00pmI stare and I am in awe with amazement. These fine people do not let what has happened to them become an obstacle. They take it as a challenge and persevere, overcome and adapt. I can only pray I would find the courage and will to be as they are. God Bless each of them.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 1:59pm.
Report Post »Go Go Gadget Legs……..
thegreatcarnac
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 1:56pmInteresting dilemma!
Report Post »heavyduty
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 1:50pmHope that he does well. But even if he doesn’t he will still have achieved a personal goal for himself. Go for it.
Report Post »Obama Snake Oil Co
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 1:49pmHe might have some advantages but he also has many diss….this is uncharted terrtory and I doubt we will have anyone losing limbs to reach a similar advantage. Sort of like saying Lance Armstongs trreatment for cancer gave him an advantage,,,no so sure about that one.
Report Post »BQI
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 1:44pmI love what this man is doing and I wish him all the best. However, as a former 400 meter runner @ a reasonably high level, I can tell you that he does have an advantage with the energy return of these devices. Perhaps whatever advantage he gets from them, though, is off-set by some other area which could make a wash of the matter. 45.00 in the 400 is outstanding however you do it.
Report Post »jeffyfreezone
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 1:36pmI have never seen anything more cool than this!
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 1:29pmGo for the GOLD Sir!
Report Post »