ABC Night News show guy without legs being banned from IAAF competition

[LiberalFighter]

I agree.

He has an advantage with the prosthetic legs and the fact he doesn't have to use lower legs. He possibly would not have to worry about cramps or other leg injuries.

[underpants]

1. It is an advantage-link to Runner's World article on the analysis

http://www.newrunner.com/article/0,7120,s6-243-297--12492-0,00.html

[LiberalFighter]

2. So many other factors but one that might be in the top two listed in the report

Less fatigue... by the time runners are near the end of their run they are tiring. Not anyone with Cheetahs.

100 meter race would be all out but anything longer a racer would need to pace their run. He wouldn't.

Some are trying to suggest that because military are returning without limbs and possibly tie guilt if they refuse them to compete. I say too bad. That is why they have special olympics.

And they brought up that their have been disabled participants in Olympics. But the wooden leg or wheelchair did not aid in their competition.

[underpants]

3. Speaking of the military

when I read this in this month's issue I thought that I would not be surprised if someone at DARPA didn't see the potential for equipping foot soldiers with some sort of application of the Cheetah to eleviate foot pain or move soldiers and marines around a theater faster.

They think of everything.

[LiberalFighter]

4. It may seem like a good idea if they equip them with it. But...

would it then result in elevating their height and thereby making them more of a target?

[underpants]

5. I was thinking more of some sort of attachement like night vision

you can flip night vision up and down to get it out of your way

The Cheetah attachment could be to the back of the boot and it rotates down and under the foot locking in place. It wouldn't have to be the full Cheetah length but maybe 4-6 incehs off the ground giving them some relief off the feet while still maintaining some of the energy loss benefits when they run.

:shrug:

[LiberalFighter]

7. With a shorter height it might not have enough effectiveness. Little if any bounce.

[northzax]

6. and I agree, but just to play devil's advocate

where do you draw the line? Contact lenses are allowed, as is LASIK surgery. What about someone with an artifical joint? A pacemaker? An artificial heart? (eventually they will be good enough, or cloned ones will allow peak performance) the line will keep moving, and the time to make the rules is now.