Pistorius to try for Olympic spot...

Isn't his PR 47.XX? Forget the legs, doesn't he need to run a lot faster to make the Games?

No, I hadn't heard. What kind of "appeal" did Pistorius win?

People better hope that he never gets into able-bodied 800m races. He could break 1:40 in his first season.

Here is the link:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/olympics/05/16/pistorius.olympics/

Sounds like he may just be an alternate on the relay team but is already thinking about 2012.

What is his turnover like compared to the average olympian? If he's taking roughly the same number of steps then I have no issue with it. If he's getting 10% more length on his stride, then it seems like it would be unfair.

How would this translate into other events? Is there a maximum length that his artificial appendages can be made? Is the high jump next?

I think it's a lot more than just stride length that gives him an advantage.

With four more years until the London Olympics, which is his ultimate goal, I can guarantee he will make drastic improvements as he improves his "blades" now that he's been declare eligible to compete.

Like someone has pointed out before, based on studies of his "blades" I've seen, if he moves up to the 800 meters he will be unstoppable. Nobody would be able to stay with him the final 200 meters.

As for the 400, he'll most likely be an alternate at this year's Olympics and get tons of media coverage, then by 2012 he will be at the top. It would be good as far as drawing in more fans, but a disaster as far as track and field goes.

Hopefully the ruling is changed as more studies come out.

Sawing off my legs right now...

If you knew you could run in the Olympics, was good enough to get into the finals and possibly earn a medal, would you cut off your legs and run with blades? Of course you wouldn't have legs for the rest of your life.

I see no reason why a 50-second runner couldn't cut off 5-6 more seconds. Just wondering...

Just wait until the next round of blade improvements. Then when he drops a 41 in the 400 maybe people will realize he shouldn't be competing against able bodied athletes.

Since the criteria for letting him compete is that there are studies that show his blades do not give him an advantage, it appears that is the blades improve so drastically, then it will clearly show an advantage. Thus, he may be limited to how "optimal" his blades can get while still being allowed to compete.

My take on the whole pistorius thing... simply look at him from the mid-thighs up and ask what you think that guy could run for the 400. You wouldn't expect him to have elite times, to me he just doesnt look like/have the body of an elite middle distance runner. I know you cant always tell from looks, but really what do you think he could run if his legs were in tact? 50-51 maybe?

no, people will say stupid crap like - he would have already been the world record holder if he only had feet - yadda, yadda, yadda.

i've got really bad arches, so i'm going to start using roller blades instead of regular shoes - perhaps i can get into the olympics then?

Yeah, the media and the public will absolutely east this story up.

But they have no idea.

Marijuologist claims Pistorius is at a distinct disadvantage.

So that settles it: Pistorius is at a distinct ADVANTAGE.

(Mari J also claims that it is impossible to mechanically improve upon the human body. Yup, a guy with super-powered springs attached to his lower legs instead of ankles would in no way be able to jump higher than an "able bodied" person. And hey, what if someone attaches wheels to their lower body instead of legs, there is no way they will be at an advantage over a runner with regular legs. Nope. no way to improve over the human body).

???????? wrote:

My take on the whole pistorius thing... simply look at him from the mid-thighs up and ask what you think that guy could run for the 400. You wouldn't expect him to have elite times, to me he just doesnt look like/have the body of an elite middle distance runner. I know you cant always tell from looks, but really what do you think he could run if his legs were in tact? 50-51 maybe?

That is exactly what I thought when I saw a picture of him in a race. The professional runner next to him 'looked' like a high level runner. He had very low body fat. Pistorius is a bit more stocky but he looks to have about the same body fat level as me and I'm nowhere near that level. I dunno.

Now that he is declared eligible for the Olympics, what are the chances he has to give back his Special Olympics medals and records?

It might be the happiest day in Pistorius' life, but it is a sad day for the sport. If he makes the Olympics who do you think is going to get the majority of feature coverage on major media networks here in the U.S.? It won't be Jeremy Wariner or Tyson Gay that's for sure. This guy isn't even American and he'll get more coverage in the U.S. than any other U.S. Olympic athlete.

Honestly, if he can compete in the regular Olympics then he shouldn't be able to compete in the Special Olympics. I hope South Africa doesn't choose him to be on their Olympic relay squad.

Unless one of the blades crashed through his skull he doesn't have any Special Olympic medals. You mean Paralympic.

Did Marla Runyan have to give back her Paralympic medals? No.

Alan

OF COURSE HIS BLADES GIVE HIM A DEFINITE ADVANTAGE,

look mom no soreness or muscle tear in my feet!!!

RUS wrote:

It might be the happiest day in Pistorius' life, but it is a sad day for the sport. If he makes the Olympics who do you think is going to get the majority of feature coverage on major media networks here in the U.S.? It won't be Jeremy Wariner or Tyson Gay that's for sure. This guy isn't even American and he'll get more coverage in the U.S. than any other U.S. Olympic athlete.

Honestly, if he can compete in the regular Olympics then he shouldn't be able to compete in the Special Olympics. I hope South Africa doesn't choose him to be on their Olympic relay squad.

fat chance, SA is salivating with all the coverage this "B" will get...