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.
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:
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.
- 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.
