Wheelchair Track

http://www.theviewnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=7437&paper=1&cat=193

http://www.theviewnewspapers.com/photos/7437_41912333b.jpg

First, I feel badly for the girl. Spinal Bifida is a terrible cross to carry. I think it is great she is such a competitor.

That said, this judge is freaking insane.

The 200, 400, 800 and 1,600 meter runs are FOOT races. The event is a RUN not a ROLL. You can't give one of the particpants WHEELS.

If my kid had to race against her, I'd be furious. This isn't like the entire golf cart controversy that hit the PGA a few years ago. This is taking things to an entirely different level.

At all kinds of high levels of competition, there are many medically indicated drugs for all kinds of diseases and injuries that athletes are prevented from taking (for example, many cold meds will result in a positive drug test). Yet here, the court is saying one participant can roll while everybody else has to run.

On top of that, if there is a collision, who do you think is going to get hurt?

That's wrong.

mike
~uses a wheelchair daily

That is a real touchie subject. I would not be in favor of her competing. How are the other kids gonna be able to keep up with her on wheels? Or am I mistaken and this is not as big of an advantage as it seems?>

I think its awesome! Its highschool. Lighten up a bit. No one is going to lose a track scholarship because of her. Hey if you cant beat someone in a wheelchair...

I can understand the PGA ruling about the cart since money was at stake. This highschool. If you cant beat a girl in a wheelchair, you shouldnt get a track scholarship anyway.

I think its awesome! Its highschool. Lighten up a bit. No one is going to lose a track scholarship because of her. Hey if you cant beat someone in a wheelchair...

I can understand the PGA ruling about the cart since money was at stake. This highschool. If you cant beat a girl in a wheelchair, you shouldnt get a track scholarship anyway.
In the Boston marathon, the fastest wheelchair racer beat the fastest foot-runner by 7 minutes.

Wheels are a huge advantage.

This girl should not be allowed to compete. It is a *foot* race.

Marathon and sprints are different.

If you can't play within the rules of the game, whether due to physical disabilities or not, you shouldn't be competing.

So if she's allowed to compete in a wheelchair, in deference to the sport's integrity, everyone should be allowed to compete in a wheelchair whether disabled or not.

So if she's allowed to compete in a wheelchair, in deference to the sport's integrity, everyone should be allowed to compete in a wheelchair whether disabled or not.
Exactly. The fundamental aspect of a foot race is the that part about the foot. This is not a motorcycle race, or a bicycle race, or a car race, or a freaking wheel-chair race. It is a RUNNING race.

I am thinking that because I have bad eye sight I am going to sue so I can play Major League Baseball using a tee rather than having them pitch to me. It is only fair isn't it?

Marathon and sprints are different.
The 500m sprint Paralympics Women's record (standing start) is anywhere between 38 & 48 seconds, depending on the class. In 1999, Michael Johnson set the Men's 400m record at just a tick over 43 seconds.