Oscar Pistorius, "The fastest man on no legs"

[JPK123]

After a long dispute with the IAAF about the blades that he runs on, this guy finally got his dream. He holds the world record in his paralympic division for the 100, 200 and 400m, and now he's running with the so-called "able bodied" guys. He wants to compete in the Olympics next year and although he's way off medal or probably even final standard, I say good luck to him. I really admire him.

Of course competing with the best can only make him better, and that will be great for disability sport. Just goes to show to all those disabled kids, that it doesn't mean they're any less able than those without a disability.

I know that some people don't think his participation is fair, so it'd be nice to hear other people's views.

Pistorius at the British Grand Prix tonight

In the Golden League on Friday

[austrian_girl]

I think it's great that he is allowed to compete as it is giving some attention to sports for disabled people... well-deserved attention I may add! However, I can understand the discussion about whether it's a fair competition. Pistorius must be in a really difficult position. Well, he is still slower than the 'abled' guys but if he were to catch up and actually win races, everybody would 'blame' it on the blades anyway. I think the IAAF have to set up some regulations about the blades which make them equal to real legs in terms of capacity and performance. Is he allowed to take part in the Olympics now? Well, we'll see where it leads but I think it's great that they let disabled people take part in some races. At least one governing body that gets things right. Thinking about it, it would be great if some disabled people would play on the snooker Main Tour. Surely there must be some disabled people playing snooker. I wonder if some could reach the standard to actually compete amongst the elite...

[JPK123]

I think there's been no comment regarding the Olympics, it's a long way off yet anyway, so there's time still. But if he was allowed, then I think he could get in. According to the Beeb he came second in the South African national championships, so thats very promising.

[imy147]

Yh i saw the clips of him running! Was awesome! He could make the olympics with alot of help and hard work but sadly he wont be be able to compete with the best in the world! I wish him all the best!

[Wity]

Just goes to show to all those disabled kids, that it doesn't mean they're any less able than those without a disability.

What planet are you living on?

"I think it's great that they let disabled people take part in some races"

It's not about letting the disabled compete with the able bodied, they always have been allowed to. It's merely a question regarding these 'blades' do they or do they not provide some sort of an advantage. Aparently they reckon not, good news for him as had they gone the other way his blades would have been banned from both able and disabled competitions.

I know you both mean well but theres many a disabled person who would say your comments are condescending. The disabled are not a suppressed minority group out for equality akin to the colour of ones skin or simlar. In 99.9999% of situations equality exists as much as their disability allows it to be.

[JPK123]

What planet are you living on?
I know you both mean well but theres many a disabled person who would say your comments are condescending. The disabled are not a suppressed minority group out for equality akin to the colour of ones skin or simlar. In 99.9999% of situations equality exists as much as their disability allows it to be.

I knew you were going to say that. Whilst I did try my hardest to not appear to be sort-of looking down on those with a disability, I think I might have failed. But the point I was trying to make was that although I acknowledge that virtually all disabled people don't have any esteem problems with their disability, some kids may feel left out because of their disability, or that they can't take part in sport. Those recently disabled, as well, maybe that have had their legs amputated recently like Oscar had, again, might not yet be comfortable with it, but seeing Oscar on the TV can only help them get used to life with a disability, or in the case of the kids, maybe inspire them to be as successful in sport as him. Put it down to a bad choice of words, I suppose

Also, I know the real dispute is over his blades. I would say the only advantage he gets from them is that he couldn't run without them! You make the point that disabled people have always been allowed to compete in all sports. You're right, but the only high profile case of this I can think of is in swimming, with that South African woman with one leg. You may know of more, but the point remains that it's still a tremendous achievement for an amputee to be good enough to actually compete with the so called able-bodied guys, whether you believe that to be condescending or not. (Although I know some people do see it all as merely a gimmick, I disagree with this. If he carries on the way he is, he will be a real competitor) If you didn't think I knew the story, then, again, I'm sorry, put it down to bad wording.

Further to your other comment, my feet are firmly on planet Earth thanks .

(And if this reads like monotonous waffle, then my apologies are with you )

[ADR147]

personally i am not sure how you can be 100% sure that the blades are a fair thing so i don't think it should be allowed but then deep down i find anyone who wants to run about like a nutter a bit suspect anyway disabled or able bodied!!!