# Should this double-amputee be permitted to compete with "normal, natural-two-legged" sprinters? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 4, 2012, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-double-amputee-be-permitted-to-compete-with-normal-natural-two-legged-sprinters/630457 "2012-08-04T22:09:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2012, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-double-amputee-be-permitted-to-compete-with-normal-natural-two-legged-sprinters/630457/21 "2012-08-05T00:04:44Z")
> [@Enderw24](#): > > I agree with TriPolar on this He seems to only be BiPolar in this case, unless two of him are ganging up on the third. It’s hard to tell. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2012, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-double-amputee-be-permitted-to-compete-with-normal-natural-two-legged-sprinters/630457/22 "2012-08-05T00:09:26Z")
I don’t have a strong opinion on this, but all of the energy used to propel him down the track is generated by his muscles, and he’s missing some major muscles that the other runners have. It’s not like the prosthetics are motorized. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2012, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-double-amputee-be-permitted-to-compete-with-normal-natural-two-legged-sprinters/630457/23 "2012-08-05T00:11:29Z")
**TriPolar** , knock it off. Go open a thread in **The BBQ Pit** if you want to have a drunken argument with yourself. [/Moderating] ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2012, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-double-amputee-be-permitted-to-compete-with-normal-natural-two-legged-sprinters/630457/24 "2012-08-05T00:14:34Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > I don’t care. I think the sport and the world are better off with him running in the Olympics. > [@TriPolar](#): > > Yeah, there’s a well reasoned argument. :rolleyes: Neither one of you has any idea what you are talking about. You should do a little research before mouthing off about this subject. The decision is made by the IAAF, which has allowed Pistorius to compete in some venues. But he was disqualified after some studies showed he an endurance advantage. He has appealed to an arbitration court based on new information that indicates he has no such advantage, and the decision is up to them. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2012, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-double-amputee-be-permitted-to-compete-with-normal-natural-two-legged-sprinters/630457/25 "2012-08-05T00:15:42Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > **TriPolar** , knock it off. > > Go open a thread in **The BBQ Pit** if you want to have a drunken argument with yourself. > > [/Moderating] Sorry, didn’t see this before my last post. And I object to being characterized as drunken, in this case. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2012, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-double-amputee-be-permitted-to-compete-with-normal-natural-two-legged-sprinters/630457/26 "2012-08-05T00:34:32Z")
No. He is an amazing inspiration and a magnificent athlete, but he is just not playing the same game. > [@Jragon](#): > > He did, all the other competitors complained because he trounced every other person thoroughly and shattered the world record. I’m not sure if he literally got kicked out of it, but the article runner pat linked seemed to imply that he wasn’t allowed in it anymore. I think it is time he was paid to do expedition races, then. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2012, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-double-amputee-be-permitted-to-compete-with-normal-natural-two-legged-sprinters/630457/27 "2012-08-05T00:38:04Z")
If you’re not drunk how come I see 3 of you? ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2012, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-double-amputee-be-permitted-to-compete-with-normal-natural-two-legged-sprinters/630457/28 "2012-08-05T00:38:55Z")
If Phelps can’t wear a NASA swimsuit, how is this different? ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2012, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-double-amputee-be-permitted-to-compete-with-normal-natural-two-legged-sprinters/630457/29 "2012-08-05T01:23:12Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > [This article](http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/olympics/2012/writers/david_epstein/08/03/oscar-pistorius-london-olympics/index.html) touches on both sides. Does it well, too. Excellent link, thanks! There is at least one point made in that Sports Illustrated article that I didn’t know - his prosthetics weigh less than the corresponding weight of the lower legs of able-bodied people. In other words, he needs to do less work to pump them than do “normal” runners. If it isn’t too contrived, then, I think it would be appropriate to add the appropriate weight adjustment to his prostheses (maybe by wrapping them in some sort of heavy material - I’m thinking of the “lead apron” that you put on for many x-rays). ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2012, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-double-amputee-be-permitted-to-compete-with-normal-natural-two-legged-sprinters/630457/30 "2012-08-05T01:41:32Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Are you nuts? He’s got an advantage over the other runners. They don’t get to use technology to compensate for their weaknesses. The other runners have a rather obvious advantage over him. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2012, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-double-amputee-be-permitted-to-compete-with-normal-natural-two-legged-sprinters/630457/31 "2012-08-05T01:46:41Z")
As much as I admire the guy I have to go down on the side of NO. It is entirely possible that his prostetics are better than what Darwin gave us for a narrow range of conditions. I’d have to hear an army of actual experts tell me “no way in hell is this an advantage” before I would want to allow it. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2012, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-double-amputee-be-permitted-to-compete-with-normal-natural-two-legged-sprinters/630457/32 "2012-08-05T01:50:11Z")
Why not let him ride a motorcycle? ---
**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 5, 2012, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-double-amputee-be-permitted-to-compete-with-normal-natural-two-legged-sprinters/630457/33 "2012-08-05T01:52:38Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > Why not let him ride a motorcycle? Because he can’t operate the foot controls. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2012, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-double-amputee-be-permitted-to-compete-with-normal-natural-two-legged-sprinters/630457/34 "2012-08-05T03:06:01Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > Because he can’t operate the foot controls. Nice. Scooter then? ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2012, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-double-amputee-be-permitted-to-compete-with-normal-natural-two-legged-sprinters/630457/35 "2012-08-05T03:10:05Z")
> [@Farmer\_Jane](#): > > If Phelps can’t wear a NASA swimsuit, how is this different? Well I guess there is no difference. I mean, I guess all the other runners have the ability to chop off their legs and get the latest prosthetics. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2012, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-double-amputee-be-permitted-to-compete-with-normal-natural-two-legged-sprinters/630457/36 "2012-08-05T03:29:10Z")
I agree with the “he’s an incredibly inspiring guy, but shouldn’t be racing in the olympics” camp. Here’s a way to think about it: he races, is 1.5 seconds slower than the “normal” competitors. Then a slightly better version of his prosthesis is developed, next race he comes in and is 1.5 seconds faster than the “normal” competitors. That seems wrong… ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2012, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-double-amputee-be-permitted-to-compete-with-normal-natural-two-legged-sprinters/630457/37 "2012-08-05T03:31:46Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > Well I guess there is no difference. I mean, I guess all the other runners have the ability to chop off their legs and get the latest prosthetics. Maybe we should just give the guy wings and call it a day. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2012, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-double-amputee-be-permitted-to-compete-with-normal-natural-two-legged-sprinters/630457/38 "2012-08-05T04:03:09Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > Well I guess there is no difference. I mean, I guess all the other runners have the ability to chop off their legs and get the latest prosthetics. That’s what I was going to say. Let him compete, and when the others complain about an unfair advantage, ask them why they aren’t amputating their legs and getting the prosthetics 😃 ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2012, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-double-amputee-be-permitted-to-compete-with-normal-natural-two-legged-sprinters/630457/39 "2012-08-05T05:29:44Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > Why not let him ride a motorcycle? The difference is that a motorcycle is designed to let you go fast without running. Pistorius’s prosthetics allow him to run, period. If he had roller skates attached to his legs that’d be something else. But, basically, he’s wearing really long shoes. I’m sure every sprinter out there is wearing $2000 shoes, but we don’t begrudge them that. For that matter, there is no rule against baseball players wearing contact lenses so they can see the ball, yet that is undoubtedly an artificial improvement to their physical capabilities. The prosthetics are neat and all, but they don’t have muscles in them, do they? He doesn’t even have feet. For all the advantage they might confer, I have difficulty believing they’re better than actual legs with working muscles; runners do generate power from the muscles in their lower legs and feet, and Pistorius gets none of that. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2012, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-double-amputee-be-permitted-to-compete-with-normal-natural-two-legged-sprinters/630457/40 "2012-08-05T05:59:00Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > The prosthetics are neat and all, but they don’t have muscles in them, do they? He doesn’t even have feet. For all the advantage they might confer, I have difficulty believing they’re better than actual legs with working muscles; runners do generate power from the muscles in their lower legs and feet, and Pistorius gets none of that. That is the problem though. He’s keeping up with world class athletes without having as much muscle as they do. Clearly it’s an enhancement of his ability. How do you define the line where the devices stop becoming compensation and start becoming an unfair advantage. Anyway, there’s a picture in another thread of Pistorius doing something far better than earning an Olympic medal. At a minimum he should receive one for that alone. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-double-amputee-be-permitted-to-compete-with-normal-natural-two-legged-sprinters/630457.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-double-amputee-be-permitted-to-compete-with-normal-natural-two-legged-sprinters/630457.md?page=3)