Prosthetics in the Olympics: Fair or Unfair?

[Kung Wu]

Great article on Michael Johnson's take. Actually I am very impressed with Michael Johnson's take. Not typical athlete hub-bub, but a well thought out position.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/oly...advantage.html

What do you guys think?

[The Mad Hatter]

While I get Johnson's position, I think that the best way I have heard to frame this debate is to ask the question "would you be willing to lose your legs in order to get to run with prosthetics?" If your answer is no, then I have a hard time seeing the argument that you consider the person with prosthetics to possess an unfair advantage.

[McShocker]

While I get Johnson's position, I think that the best way I have heard to frame this debate is to ask the question "would you be willing to lose your legs in order to get to run with prosthetics?" If your answer is no, then I have a hard time seeing the argument that you consider the person with prosthetics to possess an unfair advantage.

I'm sorry, but that is the worst argument I've ever heard. Well maybe not the worst, but close to it. By that logic, they could have wheels and a motor and it wouldn't be an advantage because people wouldn't voluntarily lose their legs to get them.

[SB Shock]

There are huge advances being made in robotic prostetics, bio-synthetic muscles and nanotechnology. The day of the 6-million dollar man is not that far away.

[shock]

Springtooth parts attached to the legs, not an advantage.

[The Mad Hatter]

I'm sorry, but that is the worst argument I've ever heard. Well maybe not the worst, but close to it. By that logic, they could have wheels and a motor and it wouldn't be an advantage because people wouldn't voluntarily lose their legs to get them.

No that doesn't follow at all. Wheels and a motor are in a different category precisely because you don't need to lose your legs to use them. The blades entirely serve as a replacement for legs not an addition to them.

[Wu du Nord]

It's admirable what Pistorius has accomplished.

He absolutely 100% should not be in the Olympic Games.

He is doing something different.