Marcus Rehm, Blade Jumper Want To Compete With Able Bodied

[Lordbenny]

Just watching him at the Glasgow indoor event after a discussion about whether he has an advantage over the able bodied guys. Just to inform you that, you guessed it, his prosthetic leg is his take off leg! I know this was done to death (possibly the wrong phrase) with Oscar P but if he is allowed to take part in major events in the future when will the technology enable him and other Paralympic athletes to have such an advantage that able bodied guys don't get a look in?

Shirley, that's what the Paralympics were invented for.....he's disabled so he competes with other disabled guys on a level playing field and when the technology improves everyone else's performances improve.

Video...... http://youtu.be/HNtZ_lbhafE

Edited by Lordbenny on Saturday 20th February 15:17

[London424]

I'd have no issue if his take off leg was his real leg. Until then, not having it.

[Vocal Minority]

In fairness, the IAAF are saying he can only can compete if he can demonstrate that his prosthetic leg does not confer and unfair advantage.

That's fair enough to me.

However, I can understand his umbrage in the way that he is just inventing tests and seeing if the IAAF will accept.

I think the IAAF could be a bit more helpful and actually decide on and set a test - and then they could do that. Then its a win/win

[Lordbenny]

Vocal Minority said:

In fairness, the IAAF are saying he can only can compete if he can demonstrate that his prosthetic leg does not confer and unfair advantage

So, do we understand that if he was able bodied and couldn't get anywhere near the distances he's getting now then he's at an unfair advantage? Or do we just wait until he regularly fleeces all and sundry and then ban him?

[Vocal Minority]

I think the point is proving that a blade doesn't confer any mechanical advantage over (I presume a decently trained) human leg.

[ewenm]

London424 said:

I'd have no issue if his take off leg was his real leg. Until then, not having it.

My thoughts too.

[hornetrider]

ewenm said:

London424 said:

I'd have no issue if his take off leg was his real leg. Until then, not having it.

My thoughts too.

I'd be hopping mad if he was allowed to compete on an even playing field with able bodied competitors. Real leg as take off leg or gtfo.

[john2443]

hornetrider said:

I'd be hopping mad if he was allowed to compete on an even playing field with able bodied competitors. Real leg as take off leg or gtfo.

For long jump that would seem to be the simplest rule to add, would be more complicated in other events.

If he could jump further off his real leg he'd be doing that already so there must be an advantage in using the blade.

[272BHP]

Athletics and other sports will be ruined by legislation and the rights of the individual.

They are apparently allowing male to female transgender athletes to compete in womens events soon - utter madness.

Prepare for a new era in world records.

[ewenm]

john2443 said:

hornetrider said:

I'd be hopping mad if he was allowed to compete on an even playing field with able bodied competitors. Real leg as take off leg or gtfo.

For long jump that would seem to be the simplest rule to add, would be more complicated in other events.

If he could jump further off his real leg he'd be doing that already so there must be an advantage in using the blade.

That said, I think I've heard Greg Rutherford say that the most important stride in his jumping is the foot-plant immediately before the take-off. The IAAF need to specify the tests and pass/fail criteria, but I guess it's not high priority at the moment.