Techno-doping?
The New York Times has a very thought provoking article, "Debate on Amputee Sprinter: Is He Disabled or Too-Abled?" regarding an ongoing debate in the world's Track and Field arena. A double amputee is seeking to become the first amputee runner to compete in the Olympics. Using a pair of "j-shaped blades" as his "feet," Oscar Pistorius has already won the 100 and 200 meters events in the Paralympic World Cup and is on pace to qualify for the 4X400 meter relay representing South Africa in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
However the debate is:
"Do prosthetic legs simply level the playing field for Pistorius, compensating for his disability, or do they give him an inequitable edge via what some call techno-doping? "
Who would have thought that being a double amputee could be considered an advantage? Due to modern technology, this is now the case.
The world governing body for track and field argues that they cannot accept "something that provides advantages" (ie. Mr. Pistorius’s prosthetic limbs) and have urged him to focus on the Paralympics because "it affects the purity of sport. Next will be another device where people can fly with something on their back."
With all due respect, how can prosthetic limbs be compared to, what the governing body is in essence describing as, a rocket backpack? We would understand the governing body's concern if the prosthetic feet had, perhaps, a rocket or propeller attached to them. But this is not the case. Even with the prosthetic feet, Mr. Pistorius needs to train hard - like other athletes - if not more.
An associate professor who has studies amputee runners asks, "Are they looking at not having an unfair advantage? Or are they discriminating because of the purity of the Olympics, because they don't want to see a disabled man line up against an able-bodied man for fear that if the person who doesn't have the perfect body wins, what does that say about the image of man?"
This is a very interesting point. And one that the International Olympic committee should consider, should they decide to intervene.
Why shouldn't Mr. Pistorius be given a chance to compete in the Olympics? As he says, "There's nothing I can't do that able-bodied athletes can do." With hard work and dedication, you can accomplish anything you set you mind to -- Isn't this what alway preach, especially to our children?
Even if he doesn't win a medal, the fact that he competed and was in a group with the best in the world will be extremely motivational to others who are disabled. It will send out the message: YOU CAN DO IT!
However the debate is:
"Do prosthetic legs simply level the playing field for Pistorius, compensating for his disability, or do they give him an inequitable edge via what some call techno-doping? "
Who would have thought that being a double amputee could be considered an advantage? Due to modern technology, this is now the case.
The world governing body for track and field argues that they cannot accept "something that provides advantages" (ie. Mr. Pistorius’s prosthetic limbs) and have urged him to focus on the Paralympics because "it affects the purity of sport. Next will be another device where people can fly with something on their back."
With all due respect, how can prosthetic limbs be compared to, what the governing body is in essence describing as, a rocket backpack? We would understand the governing body's concern if the prosthetic feet had, perhaps, a rocket or propeller attached to them. But this is not the case. Even with the prosthetic feet, Mr. Pistorius needs to train hard - like other athletes - if not more.
An associate professor who has studies amputee runners asks, "Are they looking at not having an unfair advantage? Or are they discriminating because of the purity of the Olympics, because they don't want to see a disabled man line up against an able-bodied man for fear that if the person who doesn't have the perfect body wins, what does that say about the image of man?"
This is a very interesting point. And one that the International Olympic committee should consider, should they decide to intervene.
Why shouldn't Mr. Pistorius be given a chance to compete in the Olympics? As he says, "There's nothing I can't do that able-bodied athletes can do." With hard work and dedication, you can accomplish anything you set you mind to -- Isn't this what alway preach, especially to our children?
Even if he doesn't win a medal, the fact that he competed and was in a group with the best in the world will be extremely motivational to others who are disabled. It will send out the message: YOU CAN DO IT!
Labels: New York Times, Olympics, prosthetic limbs
posted by CareTALKGals(tm) at 5/14/2007 11:15:00 PM
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