Paralympics - Why?

[David Johnson]

Like I said not everyone is as mechanical in their thought processes as you.

First Ellie Simmonds who won two golds at Beijing in the Paralympics and has done the same again in London has a whole range of sponsorship deals with major brands. And I would guess that this is going to mushroom as a result of the current Paralympics.

She also won BBC Young Sportsman of the Year and has a huge fan base across kids in general.

This would suggest she can and is viewed as a role model by many corporates and individuals.

Now of course all the above could be delusional or in the case of marketing/sponsorship deals totally misguided and you could be correct.

If you don't mind I will stick to the other guys and not you.

[David Johnson]

"But surely a role model is someone you want to emulate, to be like - no one wants to be in a wheelchair."

Err, millions around the world would list Nelson Mandela as a "role model". That doesn't necessarily mean they all want to be a frail bloke in their nineties.

Getting it yet?

[David Johnson]

Do you really think they did not consider these basic points in coming to a decision?

[Essex Lad]

See once again you can't have a debate without your innate sneering and sarcasm, can you?

[David Johnson]

"See once again you can't have a debate without your innate sneering and sarcasm, can you?"

Maybe, but I find your utter contempt for the achievements of participants at the Paralympics articulated throughout this thread, deeply stupid and offensive.

[Sam Slater]

All accounts of Dr. Bruggemann's study, and the Court of Arbitration for Sport's reasoning to uphold Pistorius' appeal of the IAAF ruling is based around the actual biomechanics of the race itself, and the lack of considering the acceleration phase. I don't see any mention of reference to training and the advantages of being immune from certain common injuries. My guess is that it's not something one can measure with any real certainty. Some athletes get injured more than others due to their own biomechanics, technique, preparation, diet, climate and environment. I suppose a 10 year study of leg vs blade running injuries over hundreds of athletes in strictly controlled environments with similar training regimens could yield enough evidence to have a better understanding which could lead to a better informed decision on it all but as far as I'm aware this hasn't happened.

It all comes down the the Court of Arbitration for Sport's reasoning: "overall there was no evidence that he had any net advantage over able-bodied athletes". That seems fair only if any real study -apart from the single one from Dr. Bruggemann- had taken everything about an athlete's race, preparation and training into account.

I think there should be studies. There have been plenty done on performance enhancing drugs to determine what is and isn't legal. But nothing will be done because he's not a threat to the able-bodied athletes. If he'd won a gold medal at the Olympics I reiterate my feeling there'd be plenty of studies on the horizon. Everything's cushty as long as he doesn't upset the apple cart, which I think is a little patronizing.

[David Johnson]

You may well be right, Mr Slater.

I could counter your remarks on no ankle, lower leg injuries etc with my own comments re. buttock and thigh muscle injuries etc. having to produce the extra energy to get the blades moving - which is why the likes of Pistorius for example, is a notoriously slow starter.

"Everything's cushty as long as he doesn't upset the apple cart, which I think is a little patronizing".

He did win a world track silver medal in the 400 metres relay though not appearing in the final.

[David Johnson]

Bit one-sided? Perhaps?

But some heartwarming comments from kids about their perception of paralympians.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/se ... sfeed=true

[JamesW]

Sam Slater wrote:

> But nothing will be done because he's not a threat to
> the able-bodied athletes.


That comment is naive at best.

Pistorius has just been beaten by Oliveira. There may already be a bladerunner in training who will go on to beat them both (by some margin?)

Technically Sam Slater is correct in his assertion, as Pistorius may not himself threaten to win an individual medal against able-bodied runners, but Pistorius is not the end of the story, he's only the beginning.

[Porn Baron]

Jonnie Peacock 10.90 sec 100m with one leg !bow!