Olympic runner with no legs!

[themadscientist]

I'm not excited about the olympics. Indeed, the only reason I somewhat enjoy the winter games is because there are so many events you can get seriously messed up doing. This story, though, has me cheering as I watch it unfold. the dude has no legs and he is representing his country in RUNNING and doing very well. They call him "the Blade Runner." What a great story and a great example. Thumbs up man, good luck in the upcoming events! [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7wNbroioco[/youtube]

[alms24sebring]

I JUST watched that race. Im surprised he made it in, but he might have a sleight advantage with less weight, easier blood flow, and springy motion. I am now enjoying Misty Mays killer buttcheeks

[themadscientist]

Ah yes, the, um, athleticism, yes! Such,,, athleticism...

[s0m3th1ngAZ]

He has a definite advantage in straight-line running...less oxygen requirements, weight, and greater kinetic efficiency.

[Bubba1]

He has a definite advantage in straight-line running...less oxygen requirements, weight, and greater kinetic efficiency.

I watched that race too and have mixed feelings. One the one hand, it's inspiring to see someone overcome that big an obstacle like that to compete at that level. But on the other hand, it seems to me like the spring factor to those artificial legs might have given him an unfair advantage (as opposed making a level playing field), which sounds odd given his situation. Tough call about whether he should have been allowed to compete. If he were to medal, there would be doubts about the fairness.

[bigbadberry3]

Just because something is springy doe not mean it is an advantage for running.

If these are illegal, why are athletes allowed to wear eye contacts?

[IBCoupe]

I JUST watched that race. Im surprised he made it in, but he might have a sleight advantage with less weight, easier blood flow, and springy motion. I am now enjoying Misty Mays killer buttcheeks

There was speculation about that and it seems plausible to me, but it actually takes more energy per step for him to run than it does a person with complete legs.

There are thousands of runners across the globe with these, ahem, attachments. And none of them have made it to the Olympics. And he's not expected to place. If it were such an advantage, one might expect that more of them would be showing up and would be doing better.

[Bubba1]

Just because something is springy doe not mean it is an advantage for running.

If these are illegal, why are athletes allowed to wear eye contacts?

Because wearing contact lens in a footrace does not make you significantly faster than wearing eyeglasses.

[bigbadberry3]

Just because something is springy doe not mean it is an advantage for running.

If these are illegal, why are athletes allowed to wear eye contacts?

Because wearing contact lens in a footrace does not make you significantly faster than wearing eyeglasses.

Not in a foot race but in many athletic events it would. Archery/ shooting, badminton, tennis, volleyball, basketball, fencing, ping pong, anything where you require some visual input to perform well.

[alms24sebring]

Thats completely different, its not physical performance. So sunglasses at volleyball or track should be illegal too?

[bigbadberry3]

Thats completely different, its not physical performance. So sunglasses at volleyball or track should be illegal too?

How is how well you can see something not a "physical performance"? Your eye sight is being artificially enhanced. Your biology is being improved.

[Bubba1]

Not in a foot race but in many athletic events it would. Archery/ shooting, badminton, tennis, volleyball, basketball, fencing, ping pong, anything where you require some visual input to perform well.

That's a good point, but I think I can answer that. In the case of corrective lens' for sports that involve a focused eye, common sense would dictate bringing your eyesight to a normal 20/20 standard(whether by eyeglasses or contact lens) would be fine, but to exceed 20/20 with those same corrective aids might be considered cheating. And that's the heart of the debate with those artificial legs. Do they bring his legs' function to a normal operating standard or do they give him an unfair advantage? I don't know.

[bigbadberry3]

Not in a foot race but in many athletic events it would. Archery/ shooting, badminton, tennis, volleyball, basketball, fencing, ping pong, anything where you require some visual input to perform well.

That's a good point, but I think I can answer that. In the case of corrective lens' for sports that involve a focused eye, common sense would dictate bringing your eyesight to a normal 20/20 standard(whether by eyeglasses or contact lens) would be fine, but to exceed 20/20 with those same corrective aids might be considered cheating. And that's the heart of the debate with those artificial legs. Do they bring his legs' function to a normal operating standard or do they give him an unfair advantage? I don't know.

Your point is very logical to me and makes sense. My gripe would be though, aren't the Olympics meant to show off how much better I am at you at something, which would be defeated by standardizing play. I don't have 20/20 vision but I wouldn't want my competitor to be forced to wear lenses if their eye sight was better than 20/20.

As to this mans legs, if they are a serious advantage, why don't we see people with prosthetics crushing in competitions?

I know some physics so I have some more research before I fall on one side or the other if his legs give him a competitive advantage.

[Mr1der]

I'm still on the side that he's at a disadvantage because he doesn't have any f*** legs.

what would we be saying if a perfectly fine sprinter competed in the Paralympics?

[krash]

NSFW language

[alms24sebring]

Thats a great point Bubba. Enhancing eyesight past 20/20 may be cheating. And who knows if that research about prosthetic vs real legs took place or not. Definantly questionable.

[nissangirl74]

I think you guys are getting away from the big picture here. A man with no legs trained hard enough to first learn how to stand again, then to walk, and THEN decided to train for the Olympics AND MADE IT. I don't give a flying F if it did give him an unfair advantage. Dude's a stud.

[themadscientist]

I invite the runners who feel he has an advantage to get cutting so they can compete.

[Bubba1]

I think you guys are getting away from the big picture here. A man with no legs trained hard enough to first learn how to stand again, then to walk, and THEN decided to train for the Olympics AND MADE IT. I don't give a flying F if it did give him an unfair advantage. Dude's a stud.

No question about that Bex, he's a great athlete with an inspiring story, but the big issue is still the question of whether or not his technology gives him an advantage. . Heck, If technology were allowed, I'd enter the 100 meter dash in a jet powered wheel chair and dust everyone. As info, this man is competing in the para-olympics against other athletes with the same technology. And the para-olympics is not open to athletes with two normal legs, like Usain Bolt. Is that fair?

[s0m3th1ngAZ]

I can't wait for Open-Class Olympics. Dope however you want to, use whatever augmentation you feel like.... It'd be like Group-B rallying with less crashes into trees.

[bigbadberry3]

I can't wait for Open-Class Olympics. Dope however you want to, use whatever augmentation you feel like.... It'd be like Group-B rallying with less crashes into trees.

I think Bubba still could find a tree or two with his jet pack

[Bubba1]

I can't wait for Open-Class Olympics. Dope however you want to, use whatever augmentation you feel like.... It'd be like Group-B rallying with less crashes into trees.

I think Bubba still could find a tree or two with his jet pack

Probably. I didn't really think about turning or braking a jet powered wheelchair.

[themadscientist]

countersteer ya wee girl!

[Mr1der]

Thats a great point Bubba. Enhancing eyesight past 20/20 may be cheating. And who knows if that research about prosthetic vs real legs took place or not. Definantly questionable.

some people are born 20/10 naturally.

Mine's correctable to that with contacts. Not every body is equal.

Athleticism is all about recognizing the flaws in your body and overcoming them while amplifying your attributes.

Also, I know nothing about athleticism. BRB gonna get more pizza

[themadscientist]

Now at some point we may have to contest with bionics.

[bigbadberry3]

Now at some point we may have to contest with bionics.

Ha six million couldn't even get you sharks with lasers on their heads now a days. Billions!

[themadscientist]

It would make the smimming events more interesting!

[Mr1der]

this thread has run it's course. let's talk about beach volleyball uniforms now.

[themadscientist]

Uniform? I'm retro. I go nekkid like the olympians of old.

[Mr1der]

I dig her dig.