just thought I'd ask as I find the bladerunner situation very strange and controversial.

or is it just me thinking into it too much ?

Iain

Iain

I find the idea that someone can compete in the same event in both the Paralympics and the Olympics a bit confusing as that would suggest that for that particular discipline the only difference is the ability as opposed to any disability of the athlete.

I have the utmost respect for Oscar P and what he has achieved, but if has been reported he was actually beaten in a time that is slower than his personal best or that he ran in the Olympics then I think his comments were perhaps made in the heat of the moment and were more a result of his disappointment at his own performance and a failure to appreciate that he has previously run faster.

Neil

yes Neil, that's the way I'm thinking.

and his comment :
"We aren't racing a fair race," the 25-year-old South African said. "These guys are a lot taller and you can't compete with the stride length."

could this be applied to other events in the competition ?

Iain

i haven't seen heard what he said myself, but that sounds like its taken out of context, he finished a race and made a comment feeling down about it

if a umpa lumpa had legs that rotated like Speedrunner been chased by a coyote and wizzed off up the track, he would have said he couldn't compete with the amount of strides that they could do compared to him etc

storm in a tea cup  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

I find it all a little awkward!

Hats off to them for being able to do it in the first place, I've still got both my legs but certainly couldn't do what they do

I could go on about this subject at length; but i wont as I've got all my bits (only just) and they work, sort of! I spent over a year in a wheelchair, but it's no comparison.

Blades-where will it end? Could it be the case that one day blade runners could go faster than able bodied? Oscar has proved that to be the case. You could have sometime not too far in the future, several blade runners in the Olympics
Then what? Will able bodied discover that they too can go faster on blades and demand them to?
A right can of worms.

Yes, I understand that there's nowt more that anyone with any disabilty needs to be treated no differently than able bodied.

But this blade thing has me confused. I'm really not sure. Another member of the failed FL2 clutch/DMF club, twice.

i get chocked up  When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car

Almost every event in the Paralympics gives one contender an advantage over the other.

Does the swimmer with one leg have an advantage over the one with one arm?
Does the high jumpers with prosthetics have an advantage over those that don't?

In the blade situation, some of those guys do seem to have incredibly long lower leg heights, so in some way I agree with Oscar, however he also has the option to extend his blades so that he is effectively on tip toes, but chooses not to.

Oscar runs in able bodied races as well, so it does appear the length of his blades are fairly balanced with those runners. it was interesting to see that Alan Oliveira was a lot shorter wearing normal prosthetics however.

 2012 DISCOVERY 4 GS AUTO ORKNEY GREY
2012 FREELANDER 2 SD4 GS AUTO BALTIC BLUE - GONE
2011 FREELANDER 2 TD4 GS MANUAL BALI BLUE - GONE

Personally I believe it will go too far and end up with a silly over regulated rule book like F1 has.

Technical wizardry is taking over.

I applaude the athletes, many have overcome some pretty difficult circumstances and these games give them the opportunity to be competitive and utilise their skills.

If any paralympian goes on to better the speeds, heights or endeavours of Olympians it could change the meaning of "able bodied" right round.

Zanardi wins Gold!
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/ex-f1-a...44519.html Another member of the failed FL2 clutch/DMF club, twice.

Went to the stadium last Friday to see the athletics and wasn't sure what to expect. Got inside and was totally blown away by the brilliant sport and the electric atmosphere which I don't think I'll ever forget. Saw Hannah Cockcroft win gold and 80,000 people singing the national anthem is quite an experience. Have now been glued to the action on C4. Go Jonnie Peacock in tomorrow's 100 metres!