Oscar Pistorius Controversy: Letter from Ossur CEO to IAAF President Lamine Diack
Posted December 18th, 2007 at 5:43 PM by Adam Jacobs
Section: News & Results, Track & Field, SoundOFF, Columns, Olympics
The following letter was sent from Ossur President & CEO, Jon Sigurdsson to the President of the IAAF, Mr. Lamine Diack, stating the prosthetic company’s position on the Oscar Pistorius controversy.
The IAAF is expected to announce this week whether Pistorius, a South African double-amputee who runs with the assistance of Ossur-made prosthetics, will be allowed to compete in the able-bodied Olympics and IAAF-sanctioned events.
Dear Mr. Diack,
I would like to commend and continue to support the efforts of the IAAF to make an informed decision on the case of bilateral amputee athlete, Oscar Pistorius.
Oscar - on his two carbon fiber “blades” - has challenged the way we all think of amputees and sport. As the innovation leader in advanced prosthetics, we at Ossur are also scratching our heads as we observe the phenomenon that is Oscar Pistorius. Still, Ossur has never questioned those who push themselves further. Our motto, “Life Without Limitations,” is not an idle phrase. We stand behind it in all our actions, and will support those who, like Oscar, dare to act on their dreams.
For Oscar, that dream is the Olympic stage, but what is at play here will affect all amputee athletes who wish to compete against the able-bodied in any IAAF sanctioned event.
The technology used in Oscar’s Cheetah Flex-Foot prosthetic feet has existed since 1997. Scores of amputee athletes have used the very same product to compete at an international level of sport over the years. Some have come close to able-bodied world record times, but what we have in Oscar is an extraordinary athlete: one who has taken technology that has existed for a decade and pushed it to its very limit.
As the world leaders in our industry, we are confident that the testing which you have commissioned will clearly show that he does not have a technical advantage over able-bodied athletes. Based on the biomechanics alone, it is simply not possible for him or any amputee to have an advantage over the able-bodied. As such, we expect that you will rule in favor of allowing amputees to compete at IAAF sanctioned events if their times qualify them to do so. There is simply no reason at this stage to disallow a young man with Oscar Pistorius’ spirit to pursue his dream, unless the real issue is whether you are ready for an amputee to compete against athletes who are able-bodied.
As you work to reach your decision, I would like to - once again - ask that you consider inviting trusted and respected leaders in the fields of prosthetics and biomechanics to discuss and analyze the data you have culled. We are all aware that the implications of this decision will go beyond Oscar and impact athletics in the years to come.
Our intent – for the time being, and as long as we exist - is to support this one individual, as well as amputees everywhere, to live a life without limitations. In Oscar’s case, we must support his dream, knowing that when he runs it is a gift of a magnitude no test can grade. Furthermore, we are grateful to witness this young man’s demonstration of what it means to be an athlete.
I ask that you work with us to see the bigger opportunity we have to break down barriers and show the world how the competition of sport brings us together through the true value of the human spirit.
With sincerity,
Jon Sigurdsson
President and CEO, Ossur
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Tags: able bodied olympics, able bodied world record times, advantage, amputee, amputee athlete, amputee runner, barriers, bilateral amputee, biomechanics, blade runner, blades, cheetah flexfoot, compete, competition, controversy, decision, double amputee, dream, fastest man on no legs, flexfoot, hope, human spirit, iaaf sanctioned events, inspiration, Jon Sigurdsson, lamine diack, letter, motivation, Oscar Pistorius, ossur, prosthetics, South Africa, sprinter, technical aids, technology
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The Final Sprint