There's a South African runner who has prosthetic legs and wants to compete in the Olympics in Beijing in 2008. Recently, the IAAF ruled against him saying that his prosthetics gave him an unfair advantage over able-bodied runners.

Personally, I can see the reasons for the ruling, but at the same time, I would like to see people able to compete at any level they earn. The ruling does give some hope, though; they said it would be on a case-by-case basis, looking at individual prosthetics and how they might enhance performance or not. In my opinion, that's about as fair as you can get. After all, we don't want the future Bionic Man setting world records against regular people, do we?

What's your take on this?

Sounds pretty fair to me, but just because of the case-to-case basis. And hey, if they give such a significant advantage, why not offer to set up a prosthetics league of its own? That could attract a multitude of overcomers to compete, and set a lot of opportunities.

I to read this, I think he should be able to run in the olympics...I mean what if that is most peoples life dream?

I think they should probibly make a seperate group of runners then. Because sereously...it's just not fair at all. I say let him in god damnit! (hoping somehow the people that ruled it read this msg lol)

I don't know, I think I agree with Vaskal, I think it's just not going to happen, you automatically have an advantage and just because it's his life dream, he could take someone else spot in the event that is there life dream as well.

Plus those things look like springs rather then legs, I think thats a definate advantage if you ask me.