Double amputee runs 400m

[Duck on Wheels]

This guy
http://www.dagbladet.no/sport/2007/07/13/506186.html
who's been a double amputee since before age 1, came in second in his heat in the 400m prelims at a Golden League competition. Now they're trying to decide whether the artificial legs actually give him an advantage. If not, then he'll likely qualify for the World Championships. Oh, and he also plays rugby and water polo.

[Eden]

Doh - can't read Norwegian - did he race against non amputees? Pretty cool. Advangage?? why don't they talk to a bunch of amputees and ask them if they think its and advantage to running to be missing parts of their legs...... many struggle just to walk much less run. I'll bet that it takes a huge amount of balance and control. It could be that there is perhaps some sort of mechanical advantage to the construction of his lower limbs, but when looking at the whole picture it takes a lot of effort to make those limbs perform. Good for him!

[Duck on Wheels]

Doh - can't read Norwegian - did he race against non amputees? Pretty cool. Advangage?? why don't they talk to a bunch of amputees and ask them if they think its and advantage to running to be missing parts of their legs...... many struggle just to walk much less run. I'll bet that it takes a huge amount of balance and control. It could be that there is perhaps some sort of mechanical advantage to the construction of his lower limbs, but when looking at the whole picture it takes a lot of effort to make those limbs perform. Good for him!

Yep. He ran against the best 400m runners in the world. Same event where Asafa Powell won the 100. He's trying to make the qualifying time for the world championships. Came in second in his qualifying heat, but was disappointed because he was one second late for the qualifying time. But he has another month to make the cut. And the International Track Assoc. still has to decide whether he gets to compete.

[LBTC]

Although it seems ludricous that he could have an advantage, I think it's worthwhile for the testing to be done. Even then, you'd think if some advantage were found, they would be able to adjust the artificial limbs in some way, much like changing the tuning of a car to ensure a certain HP.

I think it's amazing that the technology is there, and I think it's fantastic that he's using it so well!

More power to him!

H&B
~T~

[HeatherErin]

I remember reading about that the other day. Here's an article in English: http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/trackandfield/news/story?id=2931664&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

[Tri Girl]

That's amazing! I'm always in tremendous awe of amputees!!! I admire their athleticism to be able to go out and do the things that some of us with our original parts have trouble doing. Advantage or not (and how could missing both legs be an advantage?- I just don't see it), he's an amazing athlete. Sure, carbon fiber calves would be nice, and my ankles/knees wouldn't get so sore and achy- but going through that and dealing with all the struggles just to be able to run is....simply incredible. Hats off to him!

[KnottedYet]

Flex-Foots and Cheetahs are elegant engineering marvels, but I can't imagine how anyone could call them an "unfair advantage"!!!!

[Duck on Wheels]

Apparently the "advantage" they're considering is not the prostheses themselves, but that without calf muscles he might be less prone to building up lactic acid. :confused: He says it's not so, since his thigh muscles have to take up the extra load. Anyways ... that's what they were testing him for after the race. This was the first time he competed (was allowed to compete?) against so-called "functionally healthy" athletes, as a means of testing that hypothesis. Not bad, making second in his heat first try.