The Fastest Man on No Leg
1 As South African runner Oscar Pistorius steps onto the track for a race, no one can avoid looking at his legs. They are not the usual athlete's at legs, with strong,tight muscles. His legs are shiny, black, and shaped like the letter J. Instead of muscles, he has prosthetic legs made of special materials. With these legs, Pistorius is becoming one of the fastest runners on earth. Pistorius is the winner of many competitions for disabled athletes, but he also wants to compete against able-bodied athletes. Including him in races against able-bodied runners is controversial.
2 When Pistorius was born in 1986, he had no legs below his knees. He has had artificial legs since childhood, but this never stopped him from doing many different sports. Pistorius began competing as a runner in 2004. Each year, his prosthetic legs were lighter and better, and each year, he was able to run faster and faster. One of the keys to his success is his preparation and hard work. Th other key to his success is his prosthetic legs which are the most advance in the world.
3 Pistorius dreamed of running in the 2008 Olympic Games, but in 2007,officials decided that he could not compete. They said that the Olympic Games ban the use of anything that gives a person an advantage over another athlete not using similar equipment. They believed that his prosthetic legs gave him an unfair advantage over able-bodied athletes. Teey argued that his legs were longer than the average person's legs and much lighter. Some experts believe that his prosthetic legs give him additional power.
4 Pistorius protested the decision. He wanted disabled athletes to be able to compete fairly against able-bodied athlete. In May 2008, after additional tests on his legs, officials approved his Olympic application. They said that his prosthetic legs did not give him an advantage. Tests showed that most of his energy and power come from his upper body, not his legs. Unfortunately, Pitorius wasn't fast enough in the trials, and he didn't compete in the 2008 Olympic Games in August.
5 Since then, Pistorius has continued to train for future Olympic Games. He has competed successfully in international running competitions against able-bodied athletes. For now, the rules allow him to compete against able-bodied runners. Officials have decided that he does not have an unfair adfair advantage. However, as technology gives disabled athletes better prosthtic legs, arms, and and hands, question about unfair advantages will continue.