Should he be able to compete?
@mag_keizer2007 (1282)
Canada
January 15, 2008 7:31am CST
Have you all heard about the man who is trying to run at the olympics but does not have his legs. He runs on blades that have spring built into them? I don't mean to sound rude or mean but I don't think he should race in the olympics. The olympics are about perfection in sports. The best sport people compete and work hard to get there. I'm not saying he hasn't worked hard to get where he is in his life but he is part "man made" I think the artificial legs give him a boost, like they said on Tv. It would not be fair. He says he wants to prove that he is the fastest man alive. he should go to the guiness book of records. I hope I don't sound mean but thats how i feel.
2 people like this
9 responses
@RowenaTheWitch (947)
• Italy
15 Jan 08
Err sorry it's fair to say "the blades may give an advantage" but are you saying he can't compete because he's disabled? because his body is not perfect?
I think he should compete, these are two blades not two robotic legs taken from Terminator. No matter how they are good it's the power of the runner that makes him run.
2 people like this
@ozwombat (56)
• Australia
17 Jan 08
I believe he should be allowed to compete while he may be using artificial legs dont forget in a lot of ways he has a huge disadvantage over the other athletes in that he doesnt have the fast twitch fibres in leg muscles which the sprinters require especially as most sprint races are lost and won based on the reaction time an athlete bursts from the blocks.
If he can compete and beat the best despite this obstacle then I think more power to the man and should be a celebration and a true eptimomization of the olympic ideals.
If there is any slight vantage proven to be then possibly they could set that by a handicap according to what the advantage is like they would do if he was running as a professional athlete.
The olympics is not just about perfection in sports the main ideal is the taking part in the games hence why the paralympics was started to celebrate athletes on all levels if he can compete faster stronger than able bodied athletes then all the more power to him this should be celebrated not criticised.
1 person likes this
@mag_keizer2007 (1282)
• Canada
21 Jan 08
I guess I am the only one that feels this way. I don't really watch them so I guess if he wants to compete then let him...I seen one video of him falling...I would feel sorry for him if he fell at the olypics. Its just my feelings. thanks for the response
@cripfemme (7698)
• United States
16 Aug 08
Actually having artificial legs makes him less able to run quickly, so he's not at an advantage (this can be proven medically; it's not just my opinion). As a disabled person myself, I'd feel happy to see him competing.
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@mag_keizer2007 (1282)
• Canada
15 Jan 08
I just think he would have an advantage to them, I think it is great that he has overcome all odds and runs faster than most people but the olympics is about being perfect and unfortunely for him his body is not perfect by some standards. It may be to him and everyone that loves him but to the olympic board he is not. There is olympics that he can race in and there are other means of getting what he wants. Just not the olympics...has any other person that is not perfect in body been able to play at the olympics?
@mag_keizer2007 (1282)
• Canada
15 Jan 08
But don't you think the blades give him an advantage. The blades are larger than feet so they cover more space and give him more spring so he covers more distance. Of course he is going to be faster.
@shlooper (309)
• United States
14 Jul 08
I also think that he should not be allowed to compete. As others have said, this is why we have a special olympics and he should be able to make a record in guiness if he wants to prove how fast he is. The legs do give him advantages, in addition to extra spring, he also is not susceptible to injuries that the other athletes are. I feel sorry for him, but I do not think that he should be allowed to compete.
1 person likes this
@cripfemme (7698)
• United States
16 Aug 08
He wouldn't go to the Special Olympics, he would go to the paralympics (which is the elite Olympic level competition for people with physical impairments. Special Olympics are not elite and are for people with cognitive impairments.
1 person likes this
@zeloguy (4911)
• United States
14 Jul 08
I don't mind if he is labeled the fastest man alive if in fact he can do that but the Olympics are for people who do not have any differences from anyone else.
There is the Special Olympics and that is exactly what that is made for and I think he should run there and inspire others with the handicap that he has to 'go for it' like he has.
Thanks
Zelo
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@dabest451 (89)
• United States
14 Jul 08
no he should not thats what thee special olympics is for he cant get a pulled hamstring or sore feet.
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