Oscar Pistorius - The Blade Runner

Oscar Leonard Carl Pistorius (born 22 November 1986) is a South African sprint runner. Known as the "Blade Runner" and "the fastest man on no legs", Pistorius, who has a double amputation, is the world record holder in the 100, 200 and 400 metres (sport class T44) events and runs with the aid of Cheetah Flex-Foot carbon fibre transtibial artificial limbs by Ossur. In 2007 Pistorius took part in his first international competitions for able-bodied athletes. However, his artificial lower legs, while enabling him to compete, have generated claims that he has an unfair advantage over able-bodied runners. The same year, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) amended its competition rules to ban the use of "any technical device that incorporates springs, wheels or any other element that provides a user with an advantage over another athlete not using such a device". It claimed that the amendment was not specifically aimed at Pistorius. After monitoring his track performances and carrying out tests, scientists took the view that Pistorius enjoyed considerable advantages over athletes without prosthetic limbs. On the strength of these findings, on 14 January 2008 the IAAF ruled him ineligible for competitions conducted under its rules, including the 2008 Summer Olympics. This decision was reversed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on 16 May 2008, the Court ruling overall there was no evidence that Pistorius had any net advantage over able-bodied athletes.

Although eligible to compete in the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, Pistorius did not qualify for the South African team. Despite achieving third place and a personal best time of 46.25 seconds in the 400 metres in Lucerne, Switzerland, on 16 July 2008, this was short of the Olympic qualification time of 45.55 seconds. He was also not selected by the South African Olympic Committee for the 4 x 400 metres relay team as there were four other runners who had achieved better times. At the 2008 Summer Paralympics, he took the gold medals in the 100, 200 and 400 metres (T44) sprints.

With his 400 m time of 45.07 on July 19, 2011, he achieved the "A" qualifying standard for the 2011 World Championships and 2012

[richkraft]

Be in tune with your star player - Katt Williams

[savagenapree]

That is a very interesting point; probably the best I have read so far. Nice to see a differing opinion that makes some sense; instead of crazy stuff people say. So good on you. :) I will offer a tiny opinion though: you're right about the lack of pain with no feet or calves. But people who have legs have no way of knowing if he has pain in the rest of his legs that are left. You do make a great point.

[VictoriaJustice]

If you dont have anything nice to say, then dont say anything at all!

He's an idol of many people!

[jacob]

Better run better run outrun my gun, all the other kids with the pumped up kicks, song really describes what he did he run then he gun

[ISENTRY]

How about this..? He is a "man" with a pumping heart and breathing lungs... just like any other man... but if we are going to fight and bicker over things like this in the times we are in... then we deserve the trials and discomforts that are coming soon and facing us 'all!'

[greymushroom]

yo massive respect, and the be treat fair, really good for him, he is a inspiration, go for what you want no matter

[VictoriaJustice]

I have to research and write about an olympic athlete for my English Essay and Im so choosin this guy!

[abbydegnan]

this is what sucks is he is in prison....he was my insperation!

[LikaLaruku]

Aren't there any non-news footage videos of him running?

[lyrical]

When u think u having a bad day think bout poor lil tink tink

[shahiedhoosen]

now you can compete against fully abled prisoner's

[petarmileusnic]

This is posted in 2011....Yet at 1:24 the man spoke about 2012 olympics?
Sounds spookey aye?

[limetheleamer]

technology has come so far...yet I don't get why we can't just mass produce prosthetic legs that work as good as the ones they sprint in...for everyday use...just make them look like actual feet!!!

[jasonmantiger]

A man with no legs has a advantage over other RUNNER with legs hmmm

[dariusvalentine]

That's definitely cheating lol if anybody knows about watt output you loose a a shit ton of energy in your calf heel ankle while running which this guy doesn't have. 🙄

[Hannibal_dude]

thats cheating! fuckin spring legs !!! maby this dude could have completed in the special Olympics. ...let me ask u something if normal competitors sprain a leg the day before a completion do they just take off their feet and put new ones on????

[shahiedhoosen]

now you can compete against fully abled prisoner's