When I first heard the story about Oscar Pistorius, his campaign to compete in the Olympics in Beijing, AND that he had no legs, I knew this would be something I would have some feelings about.If you don't know, Pistorius appealed to the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) to be allowed to compete in the Olympiad even though he'd be running on prosthetic devices.
The IAAF denied his request, sparking quite a bit of outrage worldwide.
The governing body of international athletics thought this gave Pistorius an edge against other runners.
I'm sorry, but that is a big stretch.
Saying a man who has been battling life on a level most people can't fathom is ineligible to compete because he wasn't blessed with a proper skeletal structure is about as logical as saying gravity is simply a myth.
How can you say his ability to walk gives the kid an edge?
The IAAF should be ashamed of itself. Quite frankly, I would be embarrassed if I was even affiliated with a group of uptight pieces of drivel.
Yeah, I am steamed about what they ruled.
What I am not steamed about is how the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) stepped up, and did what is right.
The CAS overruled the IAAF, and gave Pistorius the opportunity to qualify for the '08 Olympics.
If he doesn't make the team, he at least got the opportunity. To say a man or woman who isn't "perfect" is ineligible, to me, doesn't reflect what the Olympics are about.
Yeah, the ParaOlympics are amazing, but if one of those athletes believes they can do it in the Olympiad that everyone else competes in, by all means let them.
So I honestly hope this kid makes South Africa's team. If I was a South African and saw this man representing my country, I know I'd be proud to support him.
Is it a Sport? Why is this question even asked? Isn't it obvious? (Read More)
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about 1 month ago
Hmmm, a very interesting article! Have you looked at the Olympic Charter, or the IAAF Rules and Regulations, to see if, perhaps, there is a clause in one of those that specifically forbids people with prosthetics or any sort of physical disabilities to compete in the "actual" Summer Olympics? I'm just curious.
from about 1 month ago
I'm aware of the rules, I just think that everyone deserves a chance equally. I'm sorry, just because the IAAF Rules want people to be "perfect," or be SOL, just doesn't sit right with me. To me that is an unfair rule that reaffirms the fact people with disabilities are seen as "inferior."
about 1 month ago
Amen to that! I was shocked when I heard he'd been denied! The only edge he may have on any other athlete in the Olympics is that he's had to work five times as hard just to accomplish the same things...call me crazy, but I thought that was kind of what the Olympics were about!!!
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