BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT THE DEBATE; before we analyze energy cost and stride frequency and calculate net performance advantages; before we discuss ruling bodies, law firms, arbitration hearings, and scientific methods; before we get into advances in high-tech injection-molded prostheses or compare injury rates among Paralympic athletes and their able-bodied counterparts; before we hear from critics who say carbon-fiber pegs are an “unfair advantage”; and before we look at the photo on the opposite page and linger on those two words—before, in other words, we deal entirely in hypotheticals and complex ethical dilemmas—let us first take a moment to shut out all the noise and consider an event that actually happened, even if we all failed to appreciate its significance amid nonstop coverage of Hurricane Irene.
In August, Oscar Pistorius, a 24-year-old South African whose nonfunctioning lower legs were severed below the knee by doctors when he was 11 months old, raced in the 400 at the Track and Field World Championships in Daegu, South Korea. He not only competed, but he beat 22 of the fastest runners on the planet and reached the semifinals. Pistorius also ran the first leg of the 4x400 relay, helping South Africa advance to the finals. Assuming he runs another qualifying time of 45.25 seconds, he’ll be competing at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London.
“When I was small,” Pistorius has said, “I’d ask my mother why I didn’t have any legs. And she’d say, ‘You do. In the morning, your brother puts on his shoes and you put on your legs. There’s no difference.’”
No difference! It was a perfectly understandable lie told by a parent facing unthinkable circumstances. But here’s the most amazing part: she was right. And maybe if we could all block out the distractions swirling around Pistorius, we could be reminded again of sport’s infinite ability to blow our minds.
Comments
Good article. So, I can imagine that the Cheetahs give him just as much energy return as the human foot can. And they are lighter than the human leg. But, he can't generate any energy from them either. So I don't see a real advantage there.
Flag ThisWould Kram's use of a treadmill test of 5-7 minutes utilize some standardized physioligical O2 consumption curves? I wonder if O2 consumption changes because the subject has fewer body parts which would otherwise consume O2? If O2 consumption is the standard measure of energy cost and efficiency, and the standard physioligical O2 consumption curves are geared toward subjects with complete bodies, how does O2 consumption change in a subject without the usual body parts. No offense intended toward Mr. Pistorius, his tenacity is an inspiration.
Flag ThisWould Kram's use of a treadmill test of 5-7 minutes utilize some standardized physioligical O2 consumption curves? I wonder if O2 consumption changes because the subject has fewer body parts which would otherwise consume O2? If O2 consumption is the standard measure of energy cost and efficiency, and the standard physioligical O2 consumption curves are geared toward subjects with complete bodies, how does O2 consumption change in a subject without the usual body parts. No offense intended toward Mr. Pistorius, his tenacity is an inspiration.
Flag ThisControversy has always followed many great athletes. Did Pack Man take steroids to boost his abilities, did Lance Armstrong take EPO to win the tour, Was Muhammad Ali Un-Amercian in dodging the draft. Ultimately these challenges to their legacy are forgotten and their greatness is remembered. Oscar has many of the same ingredients. He is first and foremost an athlete and has been kicking ass on the field of play since he was knee high to a grass hopper. Kids in South Africa are asking their parent to chop off their legs so they can be more like Oscar. We hope he shines at the 2012 London Olympics!
Flag ThisThanks for this story. My highest compliment to you: this reporting changed the way I view Oscar. Based on this account, I now embrace his competition in an able -bodied field.
Flag ThisI always laugh at people why say that running on prosthetic legs provide an advantage. My usual response is, "Think about cutting not one, but both legs off. Now see how much of an advantage it is. It's hard isn't it?" As an amputee of 24 years (cancer), I KNOW it's hard to run on prosthetic legs, even with today's advancements in carbon fiber foot design. Like Terry Behan said above, controversy will always follow athletes who push the boundaries.
Flag ThisInteresting and liberating story.I can only imagine the challenges Oscar has to go thru every minute of every hour of every day while he is awake. Its sad how some people see a man who has trained and fought, mentally and physically very hard to accomplish what many beleive only a man with legs could accomplish and then call it an "advantage"? When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.. -Jimi Hendrix-
Flag ThisInteresting and liberating story.I can only imagine the challenges Oscar has to go thru every minute of every hour of every day while he is awake. Its sad how some people see a man who has trained and fought, mentally and physically very hard to accomplish what many beleive only a man with legs could accomplish and then call it an "advantage"? When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.. -Jimi Hendrix-
Flag ThisThe handwriting is on the wall that the structure of the Olympic Games must change to accomodate the new 'class' of athlete such as Oscar Pistorius. The bronze, silver and gold medals should remain for the regular athletes...but perhaps a new, 'platinum' medal should be introduced for athletes whose body or mind has been altered, for whatever reason. All the athletes compete together; afterwards, the gold and platinum medal winners stand together at the top of the podium, side by side. World records are listed like so: xx.xx, 45.25* where the number with the star indicates the time or score achieved by the altered athlete. Otherwise, ridiculous practices such as de-tuning bionic legs to match human legs will happen, and raise controversy to no end. A new four-medal system would also raise interest and revenues for the ol' Games. Who wouldn't go to see a Six Million Dollar Man or Bionic Woman kick ass in the Olympics?
Flag ThisThe handwriting is on the wall that the structure of the Olympic Games must change to accomodate the new 'class' of athlete such as Oscar Pistorius. The bronze, silver and gold medals should remain for the regular athletes...but perhaps a new, 'platinum' medal should be introduced for athletes whose body or mind has been altered, for whatever reason. All the athletes compete together; afterwards, the gold and platinum medal winners stand together at the top of the podium, side by side. World records are listed like so: xx.xx, 45.25* where the number with the star indicates the time or score achieved by the altered athlete. Otherwise, ridiculous practices such as de-tuning bionic legs to match human legs will happen, and raise controversy to no end. A new four-medal system would also raise interest and revenues for the ol' Games. Who wouldn't go to see a Six Million Dollar Man or Bionic Woman kick ass in the Olympics?
Flag ThisOscars neutrality towards the controversy and physical might make for a true athlete. What I'm finding fascinating is what Keyes spoke to regarding new body parts. "How will the advantages of one athlete’s carbon-fiber shinbones be weighed against another’s surgically corrected vision?" We now live in a world where your body can assimilate technology as it's own part. Our brains adapt and learn to open new channels to manipulate the technology allowing us access new territory. Suffering as an amputee is not an issue in many instances, especially for those who have broken physical boundaries like Oscar Pistorius. The suffering, sorry folks, is in the minds of those who resist evolution and change. I hope the olympics become more confused in the future!
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