Oscar Pistorius, the double amputee track star, is just hours away from the biggest race of his career at the Norwich Union British Grand Prix, and the Sunday Times of London has a great profile that shows how Pistorius went from a baby born without fibulas to a man who can run with the best athletes in the world. Twice a week, Pistorius recalls, he had to persuade a group of boys from another school that he was quite normal and, as it happens, pretty talented. By the time they had worked it out, rationalised their own feelings, Pistorius's high school team had made off with the spoils. "It's natural that people feel sorry for you," he says. "But it got to the point where I realised I could do most things better than most able-bodied people. If you ask me today if I'd want to have my legs back, I'd have to sit down seriously and think about it. Being an amputee, growing up with my disability has made me the person I am."Pistorius isn't good enough, yet, to win an Olympic medal, but there's a chance he will be some day. If that day comes, a controversy will rage about whether his prosthetic legs give him an unfair advantage. Let's hope that controversy doesn't obscure his story.
Previously on FanHouse:
The Debriefing: Olympic Sprinters Should Cut Off Their Legs
Oscar Pistorius To Race That Fast White Guy from the Olympics
Amputee Officially Banned From Olympics
Should Olympics Ban Runners With Prosthetic Legs?
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. why do 90% amputees always wear shorts, I know one that can walk as good as me yet he wears shorts even in the winter ,if he wore long pants no one would know it . OR is that it ?
Posted at 8:38AM on Jul 16th 2007 by Herman
2. As an AK (above knee) amputee since age 7, I have to respect the tenacity of Pistorious to compete against able bodied folks. Why not! And the shorts? Because amputees get hot like you plain folk..lol.
Posted at 9:56AM on Jul 16th 2007 by Larry
3. If Mr. Pistorius is an amateur, why shouldn't he compete against non-disabled athletes? Today's athletes all use improved tools and/or drugs to enhance their performance. Why should he be singled out and be forbidden to compete? Isn't the main function of "sports" to encourage performance and teach "sportmanship?"
Posted at 10:06AM on Jul 16th 2007 by Mary Ann
4. Inspirational ....Truly.....I heard he stepped out the lane. That's ok....I don't disagree with rules but the derogatory remarks were not necessary or fair. This is the time in our life where we need to see change not backwards behavior..
Oscar you are more than an role model. You are a hero.
Jenifer
Posted at 10:46AM on Jul 16th 2007 by Jenifer
5. Would the officials allow someone to compete in a track event with springs in their shoes?
How is this different? He has springs for his lower legs. His lower legs never tire and they always provide a boost.
He is using his (ahem) disability to gain an unfair advantage.
If he wants to compete, use normal lower leg prosthetics instead of these springs.
Posted at 10:57AM on Jul 16th 2007 by Tom
6. Does anyone know how the other athletes feel about him running in an able bodied race? I feel he should have the opportunity to run in any race he would like to compete in.
Posted at 11:03AM on Jul 16th 2007 by sherry
7. THIS IS IN RESPONSE TO HERMAN. I AM A DOUBLE AMPUTEE AND I WEAR SHORTS BECAUSE, DUH, I ALWAYS DID AND SO DO YOU I'M SURE. WHY SHOULD WE NOT WEAR SHORTS. DO UGLY PEOPLE WEAR MASK?
Posted at 12:46PM on Jul 16th 2007 by LYNETTE ELLIS
8. Don't think it gives much of an advatage, he still has to run, and use his muscles on top of the prosthetic. This took practice and training, more than the average athlete. Now when the quality of prosthetic used becomes like they are on TV, jumping tall buildings running 50 mph etc, then maybe someone should complain.
Posted at 12:53PM on Jul 16th 2007 by Lynn
9. This is absolutely crazy, these people go thru enough in their lives trying to cope & over come hurdles with their disabilities. If there were issues on so called disadvantages it should of been dealt with before the race began not after "OH MY GOD someone with a disabilitiy is beating us attitude"(my quote.. its how I see fit..... poor sportsmanship!)
For the person who said he's racing with "springs & his legs will never tire" He still needs to use his upper body & and upper legs that DO TIRE! one wrong stride that man goes down just like you & I.
I'M SORRY BUT GET A LIFE AND LEAVE THESE PEOPLE ALONE!
I can see if this man used enhancement drugs but he HASN'T!
I guess after having his legs amputated at the age 11 he should of curled up & died or better yet spent his life in a wheel chair.
I give him credit for making a better life for himself & not giving up! I hope he continues to race & someday make his way to the finish line ..in First!
Posted at 1:04PM on Jul 16th 2007 by Liz
10. I have nothing but total respect and admiration for
Oscar. I am a double BK amputee, 75 years old and there is not much I can't do- although many said I couldn't. You CAN if you want it bad enough! I use forearm crutches to satisfy my wife and doctor that\
I won't fall and break my hip or get a concussion. I also exercise most days at 10 miles on a Schwinn Airdyne (using the arm levers(not the leg pedals).
Whatever you want to do bad enough you can!
Posted at 1:27PM on Jul 16th 2007 by Bob Larkin
11. Not only that but they cannot use the regular prosthetics because they do not respond as they should to running and cannot take that intense amount of pressure that running creates (which is 3x your body weight every time you strike the ground thats the force it creates) its not like springs per say because it does not give back energy return like running shoes do or even your feet do when you strike the ground correctly, not only that but I do not see an advantage considering if you noticed he hasnt beaten the top olympian runners, but I believe that maybe with his own will power and his own WORK and determination (the same things that have gotten him this far) he might be able to make it to the olympics sometime
Posted at 1:50PM on Jul 16th 2007 by hurdlesyo
12. As a 77 year old BK amputee - over 30 years - I respect this guy. I still do just about anything I did before, except climb trees - never did much of that before anyhow! As for the shorts - they are just more comfortable and don't bind at the knee like long britches do. I wear them year around unless it gets below 0 degrees. Then I just stay in the house!
Posted at 3:56PM on Jul 16th 2007 by Del Hartung
13. I am just amazed that only because the man is an amputee, he is asking for special rights and privledges. He understands the advantages and disadvantages of having the prosthetics, and am truly dumbfounded that he cannot see the effects of this event on the entire sport. As it was stated by the officials, unfortunately, extremely rudely, there would be nothing then to stop someone from technologically advancing their bodies for the win, to include cutting off their own leg to get it done. On a side note I wouldn't put it past a person to say that "well, I just stepped out of the lines for 50 feet, but its okay because I am (insert injury of your choice)"
Posted at 4:03PM on Jul 16th 2007 by OIC221
14. Why shouldn't he be allowed to race? It's not like he can run in any other way. What do they want him to do, magically grow legs?
Posted at 5:26PM on Jul 16th 2007 by alex
15. Why shouldn't he be allowed to race? It's not like he can run in any other way. What do they want him to do, magically grow legs? How else would he be able to run?!
Posted at 5:29PM on Jul 16th 2007 by alex
16. I have a question for all of you below the knee amputees. I have very bad ankles that will require fusion in the near future plus painfull feet. All of this on top of two fake kness at 45. Would you do the fusion or go with replacements below the knee? I must make up my mind soon any help would be nice.
Posted at 10:44PM on Jul 16th 2007 by Reality Check