Oscar Pistorius, despite his two prosthetic legs which reach from his knees down, will now not only be competing in the Paralympics, but the Olympics as well. Yet it is still being questioned by many Olympic viewers as to his advantages in the 400m and 4x400m relay races he will be competing in while representing South Africa.
Not only is he lighter, unable to sprain an ankle, have tireless calf's, and considerably more spring in his step, but there have been tests run to compare him to the average runner. Pistorius's limbs use 25% less energy then a runner with fully natural legs, and it takes him 30% less mechanical work to lift his body. Both of these, combined with the points stated at the beginning of this paragraph, prove how big of an advantage he is given compared to other runners with complete limbs.
I am not questioning his right to compete in Paralympics, but the unfair advantages he will have over the Olympic runners.
Not only is he lighter, unable to sprain an ankle, have tireless calf's, and considerably more spring in his step, but there have been tests run to compare him to the average runner. Pistorius's limbs use 25% less energy then a runner with fully natural legs, and it takes him 30% less mechanical work to lift his body. Both of these, combined with the points stated at the beginning of this paragraph, prove how big of an advantage he is given compared to other runners with complete limbs.
I am not questioning his right to compete in Paralympics, but the unfair advantages he will have over the Olympic runners.
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