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Originally Posted by healer
mandy mentioned something that firms my opinion. Natalie du Toit, a South African swimmer, only has one and a half legs. She is allowed to - and does so - compete with able-bodied swimmers. She is an Olympic gold medalist. She doesn't swim with any prosthetics or device that would 'even the playing field' for her.
This is the approach I think should be followed with any disabled athlete wanting to compete in able-bodied events. I have no problem with them proving themselves against their able-bodied counterparts, but if they want to do so, let them do it without a possibly unfair technological advantage.
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so, am i to understand it that if Oscar Pistorius wants to compete in able-bodied races, he should do so without the aid of his prosthetics? He should go and run out there on his "stumps"? no feet, no calf muscle, no bone...just two thighs?
BULL, if i ever heard any. I firmly believe that he should be allowed to compete. Not only because it has not been proven that his "cheetahs" are advantages to him, but because of the stats as well... normal human: 42secs/400m to Oscar's 46secs/400m with prosthetics.
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Originally Posted by The_Jazz
Comparing Pistorius to Casey Martin isn't entirely fair. I understand the USGA's argument that walking is a part of the game, and I even agree to some extent. However, it would be something entirely different if Martin were playing with spring-loaded prostetic arms or were allowed to shoot the balls from an arm-mounted cannon (although I for one would probably pay to see that). That's a much truer comparision to what's being proposed.
I know we all hate "separate-but-equal", but there's really no other way to fairly stage certain events that deal in strength and speed. What if he wanted to use a narrow wheelchair? Where do you draw the line?
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How is that different? How is that not entirely fair? I understand that part of the game is to walk the course. He's a lot more able to make good shots because he's been driving all the way. Other players have been walking all the way. They are tired and worn out...Casey is not. an advantage...i think so.
i think it is, in essence, the same thing that most of you are against. he had an advantage, yet he still played in a professional able-bodied golf tournament.
that people, is a clear observation...it is a clear advantage. We don't know whether or not Oscar's prosthetics are advantages to him or not.
there are many able-bodied athletes out there trying to improve their game by using better technology, better swim suites, better rackets, better everything. all they can do to make them win. but there is no guarantee of winning...the equipment is only as good as the player. no body will ever be "too abled".
do you think he got this way just by slapping on the cheetahs and found out one day "oh wow, these things make me such a good athlete and they make me run oh so fast...maybe i should become an olympic sprinter?"
just like all other athletes, he practiced. he worked hard, he pushed himself, like all of them do...he persevered, he fought and he fought a good fight because it has got him to where he is today, which got all athletes where they are today.
fine, granted if it is proven that Oscar's prosthetics give him an unfair advantage (which i doubt), he should not be allowed to compete.
but for now, he's fighting for a dream...he is fighting to prove that despite his disability, he can make it happen.
and who the hell are we to try and take that away from him?