I say what people want to say and the bold was sarcasm anyways. I don't live my life worrying about what people think of me. I have better things to do.

I'm guessing humanitarian isn't one of them?

Look people, the Olympic Committee gave him the green light, right? If they felt he had an unfair advantage would they have done so?

Lastly, you're trying to turn this into a pity party (oh, they work hard, no one wants to trade places, they have a disability). I GUARANTEE you Oscar would tell you to shut the hell up since all he wants to be treated like is an athlete.

This I can agree with.

I'm still waiting on some other than Sweet 16 to address the scientific data that says an advantage exists.

Flex-Foot Cheetahs have been used by Paralympic athletes since 1996 and have been scientifically proven to not give a net advantage over able-bodied athletes. Oscar Pistorius has been competing with the same Össur manufactured blades since 2004. The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled in 2008 that he can legally compete in IAAF athletics races wearing his ÖssurFlex-Foot Cheetahs.

 

Two scientific teams presented their findings to the CAS. One team of scientists, led by Peter Brüggemann had been hired by the IAAF. The findings of an American team of scientists were presented by Hugh Herr and Rodger Kram. Three judges presided: one from the IAAF, one chosen by Oscar Pistorius’ team and one who was neutral. It was a unanimous decision by all three judges to overturn the IAAF ban on Oscar Pistorius competing in events under their jurisdiction.

 

Prostheses (RSPs) are passive-elastic springs that are designed to emulate biological legs. They store and return elastic energy, but cannot generate net positive power or absorb negative power. Force is one of the key components in generating running speed and extensive research has found that uni-lateral amputees cannot transmit as much force on the ground with their RSP as they can with their biological legs. Pistorius and other bilateral amputees are also unable to transmit as much force with either of their RSP-equipped legs. RSPs have an elastic energy return of 92% whereas biological tendons offer between 93% and 95%. The Flex-Foot Cheetah blades emulate the elastic function of tendons, but they cannot do what a leg can do.

 

Brüggemann’s initial report suggested that the mechanical energy return of RSPs was greater than biological ankles but it did not take into account that in biological legs, energy is transferred from the quadriceps to the ankle during push-off. Elastic energy is most important for long distance running whereas sprinting is about force production and minimizing foot-ground contact time.

 

IAAF spokesman Nick Davies has confirmed that when the initial video analysis was made of Pistorius’ running style in Rome in 2007 his stride length was the same as his nearest competitor. Further studies have demonstrated that Pistorius actually takes shorter strides than his non-amputee competitors.

 

It has been claimed because the Flex-Foot Cheetahs are lighter than a human foot and calf, they facilitate an unnaturally shorter swing time which enables more strides to be taken. Some studies have compared video footage from the 100m Olympic finals in Beijing, showing bronze medallist Walter Dix ran with a leg swing-time of 0.274 seconds, faster than 0.297s generated by Pistorius in his 100m race win. The 2008 Paralympic silver medallist Jim Bob Bizzell, who is a single amputee, had a shorter leg swing time for his heavier biological leg than his RPSs in the same race.

 

Studies have shown that Paralympic athletes suffer more injuries (9.3 per 1,000 hours) during training compared to non-amputee sprinters (5.6-5.8 injuries per 1,000 hours). The Paralympic figure is nearly the same as the rate of injuries that are sustained in collegiate American football which is obviously a contact sport. Athletes with RSPs also have to cope with additional running injuries generated from the friction of their limbs and the prostheses which can limit their training time when compared to able-bodied athletes.

 

Now...can we put this to bed before someone brings up the fact that Oscar Pistorius graduated from Trinity.

Edited August 5, 201214 yr by Birdsfan

Flex-Foot Cheetahs have been used by Paralympic athletes since 1996 and have been scientifically proven to not give a net advantage over able-bodied athletes. Oscar Pistorius has been competing with the same Össur manufactured blades since 2004. The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled in 2008 that he can legally compete in IAAF athletics races wearing his ÖssurFlex-Foot Cheetahs.

 

Two scientific teams presented their findings to the CAS. One team of scientists, led by Peter Brüggemann had been hired by the IAAF. The findings of an American team of scientists were presented by Hugh Herr and Rodger Kram. Three judges presided: one from the IAAF, one chosen by Oscar Pistorius’ team and one who was neutral. It was a unanimous decision by all three judges to overturn the IAAF ban on Oscar Pistorius competing in events under their jurisdiction.

 

Prostheses (RSPs) are passive-elastic springs that are designed to emulate biological legs. They store and return elastic energy, but cannot generate net positive power or absorb negative power. Force is one of the key components in generating running speed and extensive research has found that uni-lateral amputees cannot transmit as much force on the ground with their RSP as they can with their biological legs. Pistorius and other bilateral amputees are also unable to transmit as much force with either of their RSP-equipped legs. RSPs have an elastic energy return of 92% whereas biological tendons offer between 93% and 95%. The Flex-Foot Cheetah blades emulate the elastic function of tendons, but they cannot do what a leg can do.

 

Brüggemann’s initial report suggested that the mechanical energy return of RSPs was greater than biological ankles but it did not take into account that in biological legs, energy is transferred from the quadriceps to the ankle during push-off. Elastic energy is most important for long distance running whereas sprinting is about force production and minimizing foot-ground contact time.

 

IAAF spokesman Nick Davies has confirmed that when the initial video analysis was made of Pistorius’ running style in Rome in 2007 his stride length was the same as his nearest competitor. Further studies have demonstrated that Pistorius actually takes shorter strides than his non-amputee competitors.

 

It has been claimed because the Flex-Foot Cheetahs are lighter than a human foot and calf, they facilitate an unnaturally shorter swing time which enables more strides to be taken. Some studies have compared video footage from the 100m Olympic finals in Beijing, showing bronze medallist Walter Dix ran with a leg swing-time of 0.274 seconds, faster than 0.297s generated by Pistorius in his 100m race win. The 2008 Paralympic silver medallist Jim Bob Bizzell, who is a single amputee, had a shorter leg swing time for his heavier biological leg than his RPSs in the same race.

 

Studies have shown that Paralympic athletes suffer more injuries (9.3 per 1,000 hours) during training compared to non-amputee sprinters (5.6-5.8 injuries per 1,000 hours). The Paralympic figure is nearly the same as the rate of injuries that are sustained in collegiate American football which is obviously a contact sport. Athletes with RSPs also have to cope with additional running injuries generated from the friction of their limbs and the prostheses which can limit their training time when compared to able-bodied athletes.

 

Now...can we put this to bed before someone brings up the fact that Oscar Pistorius graduated from Trinity.

 

I think this ends the debate folks.

Not really. I never got my question answered. Science proves Oscar is fine. What about the guy who is a better athlete than Oscar? Oscar is the pioneer. There will be others now and they will be faster. What then?

Not really. I never got my question answered. Science proves Oscar is fine. What about the guy who is a better athlete than Oscar? Oscar is the pioneer. There will be others now and they will be faster. What then?

 

Then they probably would've been faster if they were lucky enough to have legs.

Flex-Foot Cheetahs have been used by Paralympic athletes since 1996 and have been scientifically proven to not give a net advantage over able-bodied athletes. Oscar Pistorius has been competing with the same Össur manufactured blades since 2004. The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled in 2008 that he can legally compete in IAAF athletics races wearing his ÖssurFlex-Foot Cheetahs.

 

Two scientific teams presented their findings to the CAS. One team of scientists, led by Peter Brüggemann had been hired by the IAAF. The findings of an American team of scientists were presented by Hugh Herr and Rodger Kram. Three judges presided: one from the IAAF, one chosen by Oscar Pistorius’ team and one who was neutral. It was a unanimous decision by all three judges to overturn the IAAF ban on Oscar Pistorius competing in events under their jurisdiction.

 

Prostheses (RSPs) are passive-elastic springs that are designed to emulate biological legs. They store and return elastic energy, but cannot generate net positive power or absorb negative power. Force is one of the key components in generating running speed and extensive research has found that uni-lateral amputees cannot transmit as much force on the ground with their RSP as they can with their biological legs. Pistorius and other bilateral amputees are also unable to transmit as much force with either of their RSP-equipped legs. RSPs have an elastic energy return of 92% whereas biological tendons offer between 93% and 95%. The Flex-Foot Cheetah blades emulate the elastic function of tendons, but they cannot do what a leg can do.

 

Brüggemann’s initial report suggested that the mechanical energy return of RSPs was greater than biological ankles but it did not take into account that in biological legs, energy is transferred from the quadriceps to the ankle during push-off. Elastic energy is most important for long distance running whereas sprinting is about force production and minimizing foot-ground contact time.

 

IAAF spokesman Nick Davies has confirmed that when the initial video analysis was made of Pistorius’ running style in Rome in 2007 his stride length was the same as his nearest competitor. Further studies have demonstrated that Pistorius actually takes shorter strides than his non-amputee competitors.

 

It has been claimed because the Flex-Foot Cheetahs are lighter than a human foot and calf, they facilitate an unnaturally shorter swing time which enables more strides to be taken. Some studies have compared video footage from the 100m Olympic finals in Beijing, showing bronze medallist Walter Dix ran with a leg swing-time of 0.274 seconds, faster than 0.297s generated by Pistorius in his 100m race win. The 2008 Paralympic silver medallist Jim Bob Bizzell, who is a single amputee, had a shorter leg swing time for his heavier biological leg than his RPSs in the same race.

 

Studies have shown that Paralympic athletes suffer more injuries (9.3 per 1,000 hours) during training compared to non-amputee sprinters (5.6-5.8 injuries per 1,000 hours). The Paralympic figure is nearly the same as the rate of injuries that are sustained in collegiate American football which is obviously a contact sport. Athletes with RSPs also have to cope with additional running injuries generated from the friction of their limbs and the prostheses which can limit their training time when compared to able-bodied athletes.

 

Now...can we put this to bed before someone brings up the fact that Oscar Pistorius graduated from Trinity.

 

Your contention is not in line with the link I provided. That link showed the advantages and explained why those were key. Quotes said he gained an advantage.

 

Care to tell us why you disagree with those contentions?

He didn't come close to qualifying for the Final. Does anyone think it might have been different if they knew he had a legit chance? Pretty cool to see him run and make it this far.

As one who thinks he should not be allowed to run due to questions about advantages and the whole "slippery slope" issue I must say his story is both amazing and inspirational. His Olympic moment should have a great impact on technology for disabled as well as being inspirational to all - "able-bodied" or not.

I just watched him run/exchange the name tag and it was awesome but put me in the no group. Tech always improves and and some point you won't be able to deny the advantage, then where do you draw the line.

I'm guessing humanitarian isn't one of them?

 

What is a humanitarian?

Then they probably would've been faster if they were lucky enough to have legs.

 

Whatever big guy. You know what I am asking. Avoid the question all you want. I wish he'd have broken the record by 10 seconds. Love to see what you all have to say then. Well, it'll happen one day. Like The Guru says technology will improve and there will be bionic runners destroying the Olympics as we know it. Enjoy the regular humans for now. They won't last in a bionic world.

Don't call me big guy, please.

One of my favorite episodes!