# I pit hypocrites who praise Pistorius now that he's lost **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 7, 2012, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-hypocrites-who-praise-pistorius-now-that-hes-lost/630786 "2012-08-07T21:42:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![the\_diego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2012, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-hypocrites-who-praise-pistorius-now-that-hes-lost/630786/21 "2012-08-08T07:49:06Z")
It’s an easily understandable reaction to a given sequence of events. On a national level, think of the US war effort against Saddam, and the subsequent US reaction to the “irregular” circumstances surrounding Saddam’s execution. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2012, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-hypocrites-who-praise-pistorius-now-that-hes-lost/630786/22 "2012-08-08T07:57:54Z")
> [@OtakuLoki](#): > > Yes. Heaven forfend we ever get forced to _think_ about sports. Or question our assumptions of what is or isn’t proper for competition. We should always be doing this, I’m of the opinion that the authorities made the wrong decision in this case. ---
**Author:** ![Pitchmeister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pitchmeister/32/3459_2.png) [@Pitchmeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pitchmeister)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2012, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-hypocrites-who-praise-pistorius-now-that-hes-lost/630786/23 "2012-08-08T13:01:07Z")
I wouldn’t call what he did “cheating”. It’s not as if he tried to keep his legs secret from anyone. It just isn’t an equal race anymore. He is without a doubt an astonishing runner and a great figure of inspiration, but his prosthetics are (IMHO) different from running shoes and other gear that every athlete has access to. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2012, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-hypocrites-who-praise-pistorius-now-that-hes-lost/630786/24 "2012-08-08T13:48:48Z")
I don’t recall any criticism of Pistorius himself prior to the race. There seemed to be universal respect and admiration for him. The criticism was directed at the Olympic committee which allowed him to compete. I myself don’t think he should have been allowed to, especially as he’s also racing in the Paralympics later this year. How on earth can it be logical to let him compete in both? But I certainly don’t blame Pistorius for trying, nor did anyone else that I can remember. ---
**Author:** ![Azeotrope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/0ea827/32.png) [@Azeotrope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Azeotrope)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2012, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-hypocrites-who-praise-pistorius-now-that-hes-lost/630786/25 "2012-08-08T14:49:34Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > Have we considered that maybe he did have a mechanical advantage … but he’s just a shitty runner? As I understand it, his prosthetics actually give him a disadvantage at the start since they don’t bend at the ankles and it’s harder to push off from the blocks, but over the 400m he has enough time to make up for a slow start. Over shorter sprints he probably wouldn’t stand a chance against normal athletes. ---
**Author:** ![Azeotrope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/0ea827/32.png) [@Azeotrope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Azeotrope)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2012, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-hypocrites-who-praise-pistorius-now-that-hes-lost/630786/26 "2012-08-08T14:54:03Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > Caster Semenya = Yes, A Secret Man. Coincidence? :dubious: Malacandra = Carnal Dam. Coincidence? 😛 ETA Or, A Clam Nard. That one’s funnier. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2012, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-hypocrites-who-praise-pistorius-now-that-hes-lost/630786/27 "2012-08-08T17:04:27Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > [Poor Lil’ Tink Tink.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qlNEmpxQxI) > (Warning, you tube link, NSFW, annoying affected accent, use of the word ‘Motherfucker’ about 90 times in a row, not really funny, don’t say I didn’t warn you.) I swear to all that is holy that every time this guy came on the TV, I’d mumble to myself, “Poor little Tink Tink. . .” haha ---
**Author:** ![Pitchmeister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pitchmeister/32/3459_2.png) [@Pitchmeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pitchmeister)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2012, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-hypocrites-who-praise-pistorius-now-that-hes-lost/630786/28 "2012-08-08T17:44:19Z")
> [@ugly ripe tomato](#): > > As I understand it, his prosthetics actually give him a disadvantage at the start since they don’t bend at the ankles and it’s harder to push off from the blocks, but over the 400m he has enough time to make up for a slow start. Over shorter sprints he probably wouldn’t stand a chance against normal athletes. Conversely, does this mean that, if he were that kind of a runner, he would kill in a marathon or other long-distance races? ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2012, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-hypocrites-who-praise-pistorius-now-that-hes-lost/630786/29 "2012-08-08T19:14:16Z")
> [@Reyemile](#): > > “He lost” is not a legitimate reason to decide someone is brave instead of a cheater. And I assume it’s the same people because…well, it is. Not all people. Maybe not a majority of people. But I guarantee you there is a numerically significant group of people unaffected by the cognitive dissonance of thinking “If he won, it would have been unfair” and “He tried so hard and lost, what a brave guy” at the same time. The fact that it is unfair, doesn’t make him a cheater. No one suspects he purposely cut off his feet so he could get an advantage. Given that, there is no “cognitive dissonance” between thinking he’s brave and it’s not fair if he won. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2012, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-hypocrites-who-praise-pistorius-now-that-hes-lost/630786/30 "2012-08-08T19:17:27Z")
Oh man I was totally going to link to, “Poor little Tink Tink.” I agree with others that he never should have been in in the first place. He should just stick to the Paralympics and go be all insprirational in those games. ---
**Author:** ![Azeotrope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/0ea827/32.png) [@Azeotrope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Azeotrope)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2012, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-hypocrites-who-praise-pistorius-now-that-hes-lost/630786/31 "2012-08-08T20:26:58Z")
> [@Pitchmeister](#): > > Conversely, does this mean that, if he were that kind of a runner, he would kill in a marathon or other long-distance races? Probably not.\* Google came up with a few leg amputees who have done marathons but not very many. It seems the leg stumps take a pounding and they have to work much harder than regular runners to compensate for the lack of leg muscles. The fastest time I could find for a double amputee was 2:56, compared to top runners who can do it in 2 hours 4-5 minutes. \*Or, in the words of my brother-in-law the running coach, “only if he had built-in roller skates.” ---
**Author:** ![Pitchmeister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pitchmeister/32/3459_2.png) [@Pitchmeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pitchmeister)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2012, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-hypocrites-who-praise-pistorius-now-that-hes-lost/630786/32 "2012-08-08T20:43:58Z")
A GQ-worthy answer in the middle of a Pit thread - thank you! ---
**Author:** ![Azeotrope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/0ea827/32.png) [@Azeotrope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Azeotrope)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2012, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-hypocrites-who-praise-pistorius-now-that-hes-lost/630786/33 "2012-08-08T23:20:53Z")
> [@Pitchmeister](#): > > A GQ-worthy answer in the middle of a Pit thread - thank you! 🆒 You’re welcome ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-hypocrites-who-praise-pistorius-now-that-hes-lost/630786/34 "2012-08-09T02:12:44Z")
The OP needs to provide an example. Otherwise I’m going to think he held an irrational opinion before the race and an hallucinatory opinion after the race. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_the\_Immortal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-hypocrites-who-praise-pistorius-now-that-hes-lost/630786/35 "2012-08-09T02:17:06Z")
That dude lost? Good. ---
**Author:** ![lisiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-hypocrites-who-praise-pistorius-now-that-hes-lost/630786/36 "2012-08-09T22:58:20Z")
What do the anti-Pistorians think about [George Eyser](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Eyser), the one-legged gymnast who won three golds, two silvers and a bronze at the 1904 Olympics? Should he have been allowed to compete? Should his medals be expunged from the books? ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-hypocrites-who-praise-pistorius-now-that-hes-lost/630786/37 "2012-08-09T23:08:28Z")
Early discharge, OP. He’s still going for the Gold in the [4 X 400](http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/london/track/story/2012-08-09/4x400-relay-oscar-pistorious/56899132/1). I’m rooting for the Bahamas because I like their kits if that makes a difference. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-hypocrites-who-praise-pistorius-now-that-hes-lost/630786/38 "2012-08-09T23:15:21Z")
> [@lisiate](#): > > What do the anti-Pistorians think about [George Eyser](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Eyser), the one-legged gymnast who won three golds, two silvers and a bronze at the 1904 Olympics? Should he have been allowed to compete? Should his medals be expunged from the books? Totally different. I doubt a wooden leg from any era would give a possible advantage over a natural leg. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-hypocrites-who-praise-pistorius-now-that-hes-lost/630786/39 "2012-08-10T00:05:51Z")
Maybe this was covered in the other thread, but I felt that ballast should have been added so his blades weighed the same as his legs would if they were still attached. ---
**Author:** ![myskepticsight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@myskepticsight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/myskepticsight)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-hypocrites-who-praise-pistorius-now-that-hes-lost/630786/40 "2012-08-10T00:20:01Z")
Can I just chime in and say Pistorius is pretty hot? I watch the Olympics to look at buff dudes. I don’t give a shit about his legs, they let him run, so someone decided he wasn’t “cheating” - we all are not those oh-so-important Olympics people so we don’t get to make the decision. We only get to bitch about it or agree. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-hypocrites-who-praise-pistorius-now-that-hes-lost/630786.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-hypocrites-who-praise-pistorius-now-that-hes-lost/630786.md?page=3)