Random Oscar Pistorius Question

[YoullLaughAboutItOneDay]

I have a question about Oscar Pistorius I am hoping someone can answer. All my Google search terms just return general articles and I am going a bit Paralympics crazy with all my background questions about the events, classifications and athletes so I am desperate to know!

He competes as T44 (single amputee) even though he is classified T43 (double amputee). Is this because the single amputee category is faster and more competitive?

Also, he had a big legal battle to compete in the Olympics over whether his carbon fibre legs gave him an advantage. Was there ever any similar controversy over him competing as T44?

[Knowsabitabouteducation]

I think the categories are about what an athlete can do rather than their disability.

[GlaikitFizzog]

Don't they combine events for different levels. For example I saw the men's shot putt and it was something like T42/44 their distances were then converted to points depending on their grading, so the person who putted the farthest didn't necessarily win.

Maybe it's different for the running.

[YoullLaughAboutItOneDay]

Maybe they do combine categories. But what i read suggested it was Oscar's choice.

I realise categories are about what athletes can do, but my point was that he chooses to compete in a category that is for less severe categories than his disability- and the only reason i could think of foe that was wantingore intense competition, pushing himself further.

[YoullLaughAboutItOneDay]

Less severe disabilities
sorry for typo.

[heyannie]

I've just read his book and the reason for him competing in T44 is that his qualifying times were way ahead of those that other double amputees were hitting. I don't think there was as much controversy over that as there was for him competing in non disabled events.

[YoullLaughAboutItOneDay]

Thank you! So was it his choice (ie being competitive) or was he reclassified because his times were so good?

I have a wee crush on Oscar. Cannot believe i did not know he had a book!

[Nancy66]

He's running tonight isn't he?

[YoullLaughAboutItOneDay]

Yup. 7.44pm. Am hoping for lots of background from the channel four commentary team.

Is Clare Balding doing it tonight I wonder. I just love her as a broadcaster. Soooo knowledgeable - certainly put Linekar to shame in the Olympics interviews!

[YoullLaughAboutItOneDay]

Sorry heyannie - I was on my phone earlier and just re-read your post. So it was his choice (otherwise your comment on controversy wouldn't make sense - obviously nothing an athlete can do if they are reclassified).

[heyannie]

His book is a nice easy read and gives an interesting insight into disabled sport as well as why he chose to compete in able bodied events. I think essentially in the T43 he would have blown everyone else out of the water and it wasn't really much competition for him. I'm not sure who made the decision but I think it was a bit of a no-brainer between him, his people and the powers that be in organising the races.

I have a crush on him too

[heyannie]

The book also has some nice pictures of hi handsomness. I have been to Stratford a lot in the last week and have been casually carrying it around in the hope I bump into him and can ask him to sign my copy. Alas, no such luck

[YoullLaughAboutItOneDay]

Squeeeeeeeee

[heyannie]

He got a record! Come on lovely Oscar

[mellen]

He is very attractive might need to buy that book

[theliverpoolone]

I thought they said tonight that there werent enough double amputees to make a category, so thats why he has to compete with the single amputees?

[heyannie]

You're right, theliverpoolone. There weren't enough and he was one of the few that was fast enough to qualify among T44s instead, but there has been a surge of strong T43s. I think that's what they said...

[Kewcumber]

Channel 4 commentary said there were enough double amputees to make a race but competitors always have the option of going up a more difficult class.

[Kewcumber]

Oops, been said!

[peeriebear]

I have a 'slight' crush on him.
I want to lick him when he's all sweaty from running :o

[YoullLaughAboutItOneDay]

Oscar mini-doc on now before the race. Swoooooon.

Is it wrong to appreciate an athlete for their good looks. No, surely not, look at all those men and Jessica Ennis.

[heyannie]

It's not just appreciation for his good looks, it's his hard work, dedication, and obvious talent. and sexy accent.

[YoullLaughAboutItOneDay]

Yes, all those things. But let's face it, if he was hard working, dedicated, talented and looked like the back end of a bus, I might admire him, but I probably wouldn't be coming over all unnecessary and I don't think Peeriebear would be threatening to lick his sweat

[heyannie]

Indeed. He took his Olympic duvet. I wonder if he would share it with us.

[bisjaralympics]

It's also his humility. He is 25, gorgeous, supremely talented, recognised throughout the world and yet very very conscious of the role model that he is to the younger generation. His comment in a previous interview about wanting people to look at disabled athletes and see their ability rather than their disability was incredibly thought provoking. We have just spent the last three days at Paralympic events and we ended up forgetting about the disabilities in the sportsmen and women we saw. Instead my overwhelming memory of the weekend is complete awe of how many talented people we were lucky enough to see at the peak of their abilities.

[YoullLaughAboutItOneDay]

Horses. Pah. You are not a patch on Oscar, interesting as you are. Get a move on Stadium!