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Lead Stories: Thursday, August 21, 2008

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.”
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Not the Triumph,
But the Struggle?

Posted January 28th, 2008 at 10:45 PM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, SoundOFF, Columns, Olympics

The Olympic Creed states that:

“The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.”

Oscar Pistorius would attest to that creed, perhaps better than any Athlete who will be allowed to compete in Beijing this summer. So it’s a shame that a couple of Italian Olympic officials missed a golden opportunity Monday during Pistorius’ visit to Milan to exemplify those ideals by pleading the South African sprinter’s case to the heartless, elitist IAAF. The Associated Press reports that a couple of IOC members instead stated that “the IOC had no jurisdiction in the dispute and it was up to the governing body to issue technical standards.”
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Video: “IAAF Says No to Amputee’s Blades”

Posted January 14th, 2008 at 5:00 PM by Jeremy Sussman

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics

South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius is likely to appeal against the today’s ruling by the IAAF ruling that he gains an unfair advantage over able bodied athletes from his hi-tech false legs.

Below you will find a video report by our friends at Reuters.

In addition, please check out the front-page story in today’s New York Times by Joshua Robinson.

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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.
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Podcast 49: Interview with double-amputee triathlete Scott Rigsby

Posted May 16th, 2007 at 4:00 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: Motivation, Success Stories, Columns, Success Stories, Special Features, Interviews, Podcasts

TFS is proud to present our monthly Success Story award to individuals who have overcome tremendous obstacles, changed their own lives and/or the lives of others through running, sports or fitness.

I am proud to announce that TFS’s May 2007 Success Story and my guest on Episode 49 of The Final Sprint Podcast is Scott Rigsby; the first double leg amputee to ever complete an Olympic distance and half IRONMAN triathlon on prosthetics.

Scott now has his sites set on becoming the first double amputee to complete a full IRONMAN triathlon and furthering his passionate efforts to motivate other physically challenged athletes.

In the interview Scott talks about the tragic accident that led to the amputation of both of his legs, how he is lucky to be alive, and his courageous battle to regain a competitive and active lifestyle.

Download the podcast to hear Scott discuss these topics, as well as, the unique challenges faced by amputees in endurance and multi-sport events, his opinion on Oscar Pistorius (who appeared on the front page of the NY Times on 3/15/07), the Achilles Track Club, and much more!

Listen In
[PLAY] (To Download: Right click and select “save as”)

[RSS] Add The Final Sprint Podcast RSS feed to your RSS reader to have the show delivered to you

Host: Adam Jacobs
Guest: Scott Rigsby
Producer: Greg Cherniet
Music: Ryan Ahlwardt & Darnell Perkins
File size: 19.9 MB
Length: 00:29:07

Check out every episode of TFS’s Podcast in iTunes!

Interested in featuring The Final Sprint Podcast on your site, blog or My Space page? Click here to learn how!

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The “Fastest Thing on No Legs” Gets Even Faster

Posted April 11th, 2007 at 8:45 AM by Hariz Siddiqui

Section: News & Results

Last week, Oscar Pistorius established three new world amputee sprint records. Running at the Nedbank Championships for the Disabled in Germinston, South Africa, the 20-year-old Paralympian gold medalist has continued to live up to his reputation as “the fastest thing on no legs” by shaving time off his own 100m, 200m and 400m World Records.

He has now smashed World Records that he established since competing in the Paralympic Games in Athens 26 times. His 10.91 second time in the 100m on Wednesday, April 4, 2007, makes Pistorius the first amputee to officially break the 11-second mark.

The young phenomenon followed this up on Thursday, April 5, 2007 with a win in the 200m when he ran the race in 21.58 seconds. Then on Friday, April 6, 2007, Pistorius clocked a time of 49.16 seconds, or.26 seconds off the previous world record of 49.42 seconds. In all instances, timing was electronic and wind dated. Jan Bodvag from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) was on hand to certify the authenticity of the World Records.
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Podcast 33: Interview with Brian Frasure; Paralympic runner and Ossur prosthetist

Posted April 1st, 2007 at 12:52 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: Special Features, Interviews, Podcasts

Episode 33 of The Final Sprint Podcast features my interview with Brian Frasure; one of the world’s premier Paralympic sprinters, a motivational speaker, a certified prosthetist for Ossur and a true inspiration to athletes around the world.

Brian’s dominance has gone unmatched for more than a decade now. He has set several world records, won a multitude of medals and his performances have permanently elevated the level of Paralympic competition.

In the interview Brian speaks about the tragic accident that changed his life forever, beating the odds to become an elite Paralympic athlete, and his decision to delay retirement.

In light of the IAAF’s recent decision regarding the use of “technical aids” and the accomplishments of Oscar Pistorius, Brian addresses the notion that prosthetics can provide amputee runners with an unfair advantage over their able-bodied peers.

Download the podcast to hear Brian discuss these topics, a comparison between single and double-leg amputee runners, Marlon Shirley, working for Ossur and his advice for others facing major challenges.

Listen In
[PLAY] (To Download: Right click and select “save as”)

[RSS] Add The Final Sprint Podcast RSS feed to your RSS reader to have the show delivered to you

Host: Adam Jacobs
Guest: Brian Frasure
Producer: Greg Cherniet
Music: Ryan Ahlwardt & Darnell Perkins
File size: 17.7 MB
Length: 00:25:54

Check out every episode of TFS’s Podcast in iTunes!

Interested in featuring The Final Sprint Podcast on your site, blog or My Space page? Click here to learn how!

Read the rest of this entry »

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