When an international court ruled Friday that a double-amputee sprinter from South Africa was eligible to compete in this summer’s Olympic Games in Beijing, the stage was set for disabled athletes to meet their own trailblazer.
The watershed ruling made the runner, Oscar Pistorius, the first amputee to successfully challenge the notion that his carbon-fiber prosthetics gave him an unfair advantage and assured his right to race against able-bodied athletes in the Olympics, should he qualify. Previously barred from competing in such races by track and field’s world governing body, Pistorius will continue to stoke the debate over the competitive issues created by evolving technology in sports.
The ruling’s direct impact on disabled athletes could be limited, in part because Pistorius, 21, still must post a time fast enough to qualify for the Games. Yet his victory Friday in the Court of Arbitration for Sport sent a message that could long resonate among Paralympians.
Two things, first this has the makings of a feel good story! A person that had both legs taken off still has the desire and devotion to qualify for the Olympics! He is an inspiration to anyone that is considers themselves down and out.
Second the cynics side of things. His carbon-fiber prosthetics gave him an unfair advantage. They are stat of the art, and some say this gives him a definate advantage over the average athlete.
What are your thoughts?
No comments:
Post a Comment