Athlete with prosthetic legs in Olympics?

[Just_learning]

Tomorrow(1/14) is going to be a big day in the decision of whether a man with no legs is going to be able to compete against athletes in Beijing this summer. What are your thoughts? I say go for it, when I saw this on the news one idiot suggested that prosthetics may give him an advantage and that some may opt for having prosthetics instead of normal legs....darwin statement IMO.


http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniont...n15runner.html

[Dave G]

It will be interesting to see that outcome of that one.

[JustCallMeDave]

The advantage would be in that he doesn't have to fight the leg fatigue that the other runners have, and the chemicals that are produced by the overly-taxed muscles. I'd have to go look up the specific chemical, but that's the sum of the argument.

Seems like a valid concern.

[Dave G]

Originally Posted by JustCallMeDave

The advantage would be in that he doesn't have to fight the leg fatigue that the other runners have, and the chemicals that are produced by the overly-taxed muscles. I'd have to go look up the specific chemical, but that's the sum of the argument.

Seems like a valid concern.

Lactaid acid, thats what makes the muscles burn. I saw the article on TV and I have to agree with the article. As bad as it might bite for the young man, I have a feeling the commission is going to say no. A human leg has a rage of ability, if you are lethargic, your legs are weak. If you work out they will be strong. This young man has the newest version of prosthetic legs. Some company will make them better and better and sometime down the road. A person with thier physical conditioning and prosthetic legs will be faster than a person that does not have prosthetic legs.

[lor]

I feel for the guy. But I would have to side with the dumb reporter.
Yes this man has no legs below the knee but he does have a mechanical device which can be engineered over time to give him an unfair advantage. The technology may not be there today, but overtime it can be done and would make a great advertising slogan for a prosthetics company.How is this different from someone using performance enhancement drugs????

[adobe wall]

The prostetic legs are basically a single leaf spring. Imagine if that was legal to build into a shoe?

I admire the guy but I don't think the competition would be a level playing field. If the prostetic limbs were not leaf springs I'd be more inclined to think he should be allowed to compete.

jmho, aw

[Tom H]

Let him compete ,remember it is just a game

[JustCallMeDave]

If it was a professional sport, I'd be inclined to agree. It's not, so I don't.

[CATCH AND EAT]

Hope he does not have performance enhancing springs.

Looks like a new rule or guideline will come up as to what makes an Olympian. I would have to say no to him at this time but with study as to what constitutes these games and what is fair competition.

I admire the man for trying and offer kudos for challenging the commission on his eligibility.

[Texascat]

I don't know about all this, I have a "very good" prosthetic leg and I'm pretty darn slow.

[JustCallMeDave]

Imagine having one of those leaf spring jobbies. That'd definitely add a spring to your step.

[djb]

The jury has reached a decision and the athlete will not be allowed to compete in the Olympics or any other sanctioned events. The article stated that a study was done by a five member panel from the German sports institute. The runner with prosthetics was able to run as fast as 5 similar athletes while expending 25% less energy.

[Threemuch]

I say it is BS. Let him compete! It's not like he is attaching wheels or some such thing to his stumps.

[JustCallMeDave]

They've already discussed the unfair advantage of no lactic acid buildup, so he might as well have wheels.

[BrushApe]

I feel sorry for the young man but also feel he should not be allowed to compete. We would be getting into the "who can build/produce the best "leaf spring". It would be technology, not human accomplishment. Might as well say, performance inhancing drugs are legal, just my .