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| Oscar Pistorius sparked debate by recently qualifying for Worlds. |
Oscar Pistorius is fast, faster than most runners in the world, fast enough to compete in the Olympic games.
Yet, there is a very outspoken constituency out there that doesn't want him to compete in the worlds' biggest events, doesn't think he should be allowed to run, to break records.
The native South African's unfair advantage? His Cheetah Flex-Foot carbon-fiber transtibial artificial limbs, a.k.a. the metal hooks attached to the double amputee's knees that allow him to run with the best in the world.
Who would've thought a man born into such physical disadvantage (absence of fibulae in both his legs) would be attacked on the basis of an athletic advantage he holds over the able-bodied runners of the world?
At this point in his career, Pistorius has faced all his critics, voluntarily submitting himself to rigorous physiological testing and routinely shooting down his detractors. He appeared in a
"They said I couldn't..." Nike commercial, concluding with the defiant remark, "Anything else you want to tell me?"
Should he be allowed to enter able-bodied competitions? The debate heats up with every race in which Pistorius blows away the competition. After sweeping gold in the 100, 200, and 400 meter races at the Paralympic World Championships in 2006, Pistorius began creeping into international competition, with the goal of qualifying for the 2008 Summer Olympic games in Beijing.
However, on March 26, 2007, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) modified its rules to include a ban on the use of "any technical device that incorporates springs, wheels or any other element that provides a user with an advantage over another athlete not using such a device." At that time, the IAAF began conducting tests and studying the effect Pistorius' prosthetic limbs had on his running ability. German Professor Peter Brüggemann, who conducted a study for the IAAF in November 2007, concluded that the Cheetah "blades" allowed Pistorius to use up 25% less energy than athletes with full use of their legs, led to less vertical motion, and required 30% less mechanical work for lifting the body. Based on these studies, the South African was officially banned from competition on January 14, 2008, with the IAAF citing his blades as a "technical aid in clear contravention of IAAF rules."
Arguing that the IAAF made a "premature and highly subjective" ruling, Pistorius appealed to the Court of Abitration for Sport (CAS). He won his appeal, and on May 16 of that same year, the IAAF's ruling was reversed. Despite re-opening the window of opportunity, Pistorius failed to qualify for the Summer Olympics that year, coming up short against the best 400 meter runners in South Africa.
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| Pistorius has qualified for Worlds, London 2012 |
But, all the same issues resurfaced last month, when he ran the 400 meters in Lignano, Italy in 45.07 seconds. The career-best time was 0.18 seconds under the qualifying time for the World Championships and the London Olympics. And
watch for yourself. He blows away the competition.
Now, it seems like every time he "threatens" to topple the world's best able-bodied competitors, that same constituency of experts and fans rush to determine whether or not his participation in these events is "fair." Roger Black, former British 400 meter runner, recently stated in a BBC interview that Pistorius should not race because "We are not seeing 'like' against 'like.'"
Experts aren't in complete agreement on the benefits and detriments of Pistorius' prosthetic blades, even including those on the panel who helped overturn the IAAF's decision.
Critics say he doesn't experience the lactic acid buildup that hinders the performance of able-bodied runners, his Cheetah blades return more energy per stride without becoming fatigued, and the lightweight blades allow for fewer strides in a race and quicker repositioning.
His defenders claim that his prosthetics are subjected to certain detrimental factors that natural legs are not, like difficulty with traction in rainy conditions, greater sensitivity to wind, and returning only 80% of energy absorbed in each stride (compared to 240% for normal legs).
But as each side attacks the factual evidence of the other, they overlook the most important aspect of the debate: Oscar Pistorius
is different from other competitors, and it doesn't take scientific evidence to prove that. Watch the video above again. His pacing is radically different from the other runners. His prosthetics limit him to a slow start, but he seems to accelerate for a longer period. The real question is, will the net gain or net loss of advantage ever be quantifiable enough for the IAAF to rule that a double amputee holds an advantage over able-bodied runners?
The CAS was able to overturn the IAAF's ruling on the basis that Brüggemann's study focused only on the performance-enhancing aspects of the Cheetah blades. So, according to that logic, Pistorius will be able to race only until the IAAF shows that the benefits of his artificial limbs outweigh the detriments. And if or when that day comes, he may see his career and dreams come to a jarring halt.
In a world where the physically disabled are increasingly finding ways to live their life without limits, Oscar Pistorius, the double amputee athlete, has overcome every obstacle that has been thrown his way. But if the IAAF finds evidence to ban him from competition, it will send a very mixed message to society. They have to proceed with extreme caution and care.
So, as we tune in to watch the World Championships later this month in Daegu, South Korea, (or watch the highlights on SportsCenter) all the attention will be focused on "The Fastest Man On No Legs." Some will accept him, some won't. But don't expect Pistorius to care. He's there to win.
Hate the column? Love the column? Send us an email at jabronifreesports@gmail.com.
Dean Karoliszyn is the Editor-in-Chief and cofounder of Jabroni Free Sports.
