Heart, Commitment, Integrity and Faith
Posted January 30th, 2008 at 6:30 PM by Jimmie R. Markham
Section: News & Results, Track & Field, SoundOFF, Columns, Olympics, Drugs In Sports
My recent post titled “Not the Triumph, But the Struggle?,” about Oscar Pistorius and the IAAF’s decision not to allow him to compete in the sport of track & field, generated some interesting feedback from one of our long-time readers.
Jim Fortner of Jim2.net, in his reply to my article that accuses the IAAF of being unfair, heartless, discriminatory and elitist, wrote that “this issue is not a humanistic one. It is a question of fairness in competition and ensuring a level playing field.”
Mr. Fortner also wrote that “this kind of emotional article bashing the IAAF for doing its job is pointless and contributes nothing to the real issue of what is and is not fair and suitable in athletic competitions.”
I replied to Mr. Fortner via e-mail today. Here is my reply to his comments:
Thank you for commenting on my post. Although I always appreciate my readers’ feedback, I have to say that I disagree with your characterization of my article as being “pointless” and “[not contributing] to the real issue of what is and is not fair and suitable in athletic competitions.” I also disagree with your position that “this issue is not a humanistic one.”
As you may know, Pistorius was born without fibulas. Both of his legs were amputated below the knee when he was 11 months old. Without prosthetics he wouldn’t be able to walk, much less run. Pistorius needs prosthetics simply to be able to walk and run. Yes, it may (or may not) be true that his prosthetics offer him a 25% advantage over runners with two legs. Pistorius is still appealing his decision by commissioning other studies that he hopes will refute the German study.
Even if it is true that Pistorius has a 25% advantage, then surely that advantage is negated by the inherent disadvantage of not having any legs below the knees. How much of an advantage do sprinters with two legs have over Pistorius when he doesn’t wear his prosthetics? Is it more than 25%? Absolutely. If Pistorius were to break the world record in the 400 meter Dash, then I could understand the IAAF’s argument. Until that happens, I will stick to my point that the inherent disadvantage he has of not having any legs below the knee outweighs any and all advantages his prosthetics may afford him.
The IAAF is in effect subjecting Pistorius to a lifetime ban from competition, yet athletes who have been suspended for doping are allowed to compete again after a few years. How could that be characterized as “fairness in competition?” The athletes who doped had a choice and chose to cheat. Even so, they were given second chances. Pistorius did not have a choice as to whether or not he could have been born with fibulas Even so, he is not being given a second chance. How does banning Pistorius for life while at the same time letting cheaters back into competition after 2 or 4 years “[protect] the integrity of Olympic and other international competition?” I see no integrity there. I see a double standard.
As for your position that this is not a humanistic issue, let me reply be asking you: for what purpose should we attempt to level the athletic playing field? When we ask for “fairness and integrity” in athletics, for whose sake are we trying to enforce these ethical codes? If I’m not mistaken, it’s for humans, all of them, including Oscar Pistorius.
I look forward to reading your reply.
While I was awaiting Mr. Fortner’s reply, a TFS reader named Jodi weighed in on the issue:
I must disagree with Mr. Fortner completely. We as a species continually evolve, develop and grow and discover new ways to improve ourselves. Change is paramount and inevitable. It is how we handle this change that matters. As we have evolved we have had to include and open ourselves to differences in each of us. So now it is time to tackle those among us who are disabled. Some sort of negotiation and/or compromise was called for here. The strength and determination it took for Oscar Pistorius to come to this physical level of power and agility should be encouraged and supported not feared and discriminated against. It is never a level playing field even among those of us that do not have such an obvious disability. That is why some win and some do not. An ingredient such as heart - commitment - integrity - faith cannot be measured and surely can and does make a difference in all competitions. Your statement about “protecting the integrity of Olympic and other international competition” sends chills down my spine and reminds me of when similar words were used to exclude others based on other physical and religious “conditions.” Exclusion was not the answer here. Finding a way to include and embrace was. A missed opportunity; but one that will definitely come again.
Thank you for reading, Jodi, and bless you for your vision of humanity!
Mr. Fortner’s comments and expertise about this, and other running related topics, are also appreciated by The Final Sprint. In fact, I encourage you to visit his website so that you can read his valuable insights about the sport. This kind of lively debate will help bring the issue to the forefront of the online running community. Even though I happen to disagree with his stance on this particular issue, I respect and appreciate the position he takes regarding this emotional and difficult issue.
I will keep everyone posted on any updates or any replies from Mr. Fortner. In the meantime, I encourage you to weigh in on this issue by leaving a reply of your own.
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Tags: disabled athlete, discrimination, double amputee, ethics, evolution, fairness, humanism, IAAF, integrity in athletics, IOC, olympic creed, olympic games, olympics, Oscar Pistorius
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