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New Blade Running Record Set

10/20/2016

22 Comments

 
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​Pistorius' Record Has Been Broken

An unlikely sprinting champion has emerged from the Rio Paralympics in the form of New Zealander Liam Malone who won the 200m and 400m double, while also claiming silver in the 100m. In the process, Malone also broke the T43 400m world record previously held by convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius. The time of 46.20 broke the previous mark of 46.68 which was set by Pistorius in 2012.

​Malone is a double amputee below the knee, but through the assistance of prosthetic blades, he was able to run a time that was just 0.11 seconds outside of his country’s able-bodied record. In the same T43 400m final, silver medalist David Behre of Germany also broke the previous record with his time of 46.23. This proves that 'blade runners’ are getting faster.

​Do Blade Runners Have an Unfair Advantage over Able-Bodied Runners?

This is still a gray area for many. Oscar Pistorius is the most high-profile athlete to make the cross over to the Olympics, however other athletes have had their applications declined. The most recent example is long jumper Markus Rehm who unsuccessfully attempted to compete in Rio. According to the governing body, he was unable to provide sufficient evidence that his carbon-fiber blades weren’t giving him an unfair advantage.

In Rehm’s case, he uses one blade whereas Pistorius used two. Experts continue to disagree, but some of the suggestions surrounding perceived advantages and disadvantages include:
​- Lighter lower half of leg enables quicker leg speed and less effort when at full pace.
- Biological feet give runners metabolic efficiency, meaning less effort with every step.
- In Rehm’s case, he was disadvantaged and could not reach maximum speed as easily as able-bodied athletes, but the prosthetic limb does aid his take off in the long jump.
​The science is fascinating, however for now it’s unlikely we will see prosthetic blades allowed in IAF or IOC-sanctioned events any time soon.

22 Comments
Austin Kline
10/26/2016 07:40:06 am

This takes so much skill to break someone's record as this individual did. Blade running is a gift and certainly takes lifelong practice.

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rachel kerolle
10/28/2016 06:21:38 pm

nice bike

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Julie
10/26/2016 08:49:19 am

Interesting article. I didn't realize that blade runners may have an advantage over able-bodied runners. Love your blog!

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Jesse Lapinski
10/26/2016 10:16:22 am

This is very informative and well described. It's easy to understand all the points being made. I enjoyed it a lot and will share what I learned with all my friends.

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Caroline Kaugher
10/26/2016 12:46:36 pm

Well it took me a minute to get what blade running is, lol, but I think it's great that the record no longer belongs to a convicted murderer.

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Kevin C
10/26/2016 03:34:24 pm

Looks like an exciting sport. Very good article.

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Sam
10/26/2016 11:02:50 pm

The science tells us that there are researches based on what runners have use the blades for better performance, but there are advantages and disadvantages. Now, prosthetic blades will be considered but still haven't allowed to use yet. It's good to know about the importance of using blades and the ability of having them.

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HannahV
10/27/2016 03:14:29 am

This is exciting! I believe blade runners' advantages even out with their disadvantages.

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Vincent Agosta
10/27/2016 06:33:56 am

all I have to say is wow. breaking the record in blade running is amazing. it takes alot of practice and dedication to achieve this. that is cool on how pistorius record has been broken.

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julio pacio
10/27/2016 10:14:51 am

This article exposed a topic about the human body that is really fascinating

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c.m
10/27/2016 01:27:25 pm

I think researches have some crucial points of the advantages, and it's a perpetual argument, one that will have to be taken into more consideration before any definite decision can be made. Able-bodies or not, they're all amazing athletes.

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Kell Blesi
10/27/2016 06:53:02 pm

Its not an easy task to break a record because it takes a lot of dedication, motivation and commitment. Not a lot of people have those and the will to push through hard-times and struggles. Very interesting article and will recommend to any person who needs inspiration.

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F. Martin
10/27/2016 10:43:42 pm

This certainly is a labor of skill and talent in order to achieve such a feat. To learn the art of reutilizing ligaments in and of itself is amazing. Congratulations!

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Shasta McAnally Martin
10/28/2016 07:31:30 am

I think this was amazing that a double amputee broke the sprinting record. That's impressive

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DavidWH
10/28/2016 08:52:17 am

Inspiring to see these athletes pushing past the barriers of their disability and setting new records. I hope we can come up with standards so they can compete in the Olympics too.

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Mona
10/28/2016 01:34:51 pm

Interesting read - I didn't realize that blade runners could have such an advantage - very intriguing technology.

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Michelle
10/30/2016 01:31:18 pm

I love sports specially running. And I didn't know that having an artificial leg will be an advantage of a runner. I thought having an artificial one will hurt a person, like what others are complaining on their artificial leg replacements

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Kirk Davis
10/31/2016 08:13:29 am

Congratulations for breaking this record. It is a great to see a more deserving individual holding this record. Hopefully you will continue to prosper and go on to break your own record in the future.

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Marlana Ward
11/2/2016 03:15:57 pm

I love that blade running gives amputees a chance to gain speed and continue running throughout their lives. I could see how some would see it as an advantage in races vs. non-bladed runners. It will be interesting to see how this plays out in years to come. Very thought-provoking post!

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Edward
11/5/2016 06:37:33 pm

Always love to see when people who have lost their limbs have not lost their drive to go and be extremely active like this! Inspirational!

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Tim C
11/7/2016 07:30:42 pm

Awesome record. Great to see. Keep it up!

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Richard link
11/28/2016 06:38:34 am

It is very good to know. Thank you.

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    Cameron Poetzscher

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    Cameron Poetzscher is a Harvard Business School graduate with extensive M&A, business strategy and operations experience.
    He is the VP of Corporate Development at Uber, and is passionate about sport.

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