Olympics!

[Mark]

The appeal said they did though - and IMO they do. I have no problem with disabled athletes competing in the able-bodied Olympics. In fact, I have no doubt they do already. However, there must be equality, and there wouldn't have been here.

I missed the closing, but I recorded it so I'll either watch it back or watch the highlights, or both.

[chumpychops]

Originally Posted by bam

Why? They already ruled for the Olympics this year that his blades didn't confer an advantage, if he'd made qualifying times this year he could have been at the Olympics.

OK...here's an obvious scenario.

Lets say that his 'natural ability', had he got legs, would enable him to run 100m in 12s. He straps on his blades and runs 100m in 12s. Clearly one can say that the blades compensate perfectly for his disability.

Then the makers come up with an improvment and he runs 100m in 9s. Clearly this would be unfair on the able bodied athletes.

But how do we know that the improvement wasnt also down to better training? Its impossible to say, since you cant at any point say what level the 'able-bodied' athlete would be competing at.

If the benchmark for how much of an advantage is given is based even partially on his performance in a race then you have the absurd position that, if he wins, one can claim that he's been given an unfair advantage.

[Haly]

Originally Posted by Mark

If the BBC doesn't give full coverage to Paralympics in London it'll be a complete outrage, but I'm sure they will.

I'm already planning what I need to do in advance to secure enough money and time off to watch as many events as possible. Four weeks off work and a lot of travelling.

I hope they do! Can't see me being able to see anything other than on TV but suppose I have time to get rich

[Knipples]

Have really enjoyed watching the coverage (ive mainly caught the hour on BBC2 in the evenings due to work)

Was really disappointed to hear about one of our athletes (I think it was the discus) being reclassified when she got to bejing based on her disability, and then when she won a medal they suddenly decided she shouldnt be in that category and so she was excluded and didnt get her medal. Also one of our cerebral palsy footballers, not being "disabled enough" and him being excluded as well. Grrrrr! As if these people dont have enough to go through on a daily basis without some person sitting on a commitee deciding their future for them.

End rant, well done to Shelly Woods for winning our 100th medal and well done to all our athletes for finishing 2nd in the medal table.
GO US!!!

[Mark]

Difficult one that. I believe at least in the Discus case she was 'well' enough that she didn't even know she had anything wrong until a Doctor found it.