Judge: "Wheels = Legs"

[matmat]

To me the article sounds like she isn't actually competing with the other athletes but her event will be run at the same time. The article isn't very clear on this point.

That's how i read it too. mb we're wrong. If what the poster above is saying about the speed at which wheelchaired athletes finish the races, then she'll be on the track all by herself again anyway. but if it makes her happy and noone gets hurt, what's the problem?

[Big Pimpin]

what if she wanted to be in the pole vault or high-jump?

They could get her a ramp.

[RugbyD]

but if it makes her happy and noone gets hurt, what's the problem?

the implications of a court ruling like this are a huge problem. if upheld, it sets precedent that running isn't actually running. Soon enough black will be white, up will be down, and Rover and Fluffy will be copulating with impunity.

[j_d_mcnugent]

i'm all for finding ways to include her in activities, but i am not too crazy about her competing at the same time as runners. kind of depends on the event and the how its done. if it is a sprint i wouldnt mind since she would be in her own lane. the article wasnt clear, but she shouldnt be scored as a runner.

doesn't being bound to a wheelchair give her a clear disadvantage?

depends. i think wheel chair is a disadvantage for short stuff but can be faster for long stuff, especially if you have top quality equipment. it also depends on the classification. there are hand pedaled bikes that could be construed as wheel chairs which can be very fast for short distances.

[Omaha Red Sox]

but if it makes her happy and noone gets hurt, what's the problem?

the implications of a court ruling like this are a huge problem. if upheld, it sets precedent that running isn't actually running. Soon enough black will be white, up will be down, and Rover and Fluffy will be copulating with impunity.

I didn't look at it how you and Knapp are looking at it. I see your point and I agree that a judge should not have been involved in the first place. I do think it is possible to include her in some way, but not where it would effect the real runners and their results.

[Madison]

Not sure what the exacts of that are. Is she just going to wheel herself around at the same time (and not be counted for who wins/loses), or is she actually racing against the people running?




If she's just going to wheel around, it doesn't count for anything, and she won't interfere with the race, I don't see an issue here.

If she's actually IN the race, then I highly disagree with this as it opens the floodgates for even more foolishness like this.

[RugbyD]

but if it makes her happy and noone gets hurt, what's the problem?

the implications of a court ruling like this are a huge problem. if upheld, it sets precedent that running isn't actually running. Soon enough black will be white, up will be down, and Rover and Fluffy will be copulating with impunity.

I didn't look at it how you and Knapp are looking at it. I see your point and I agree that a judge should not have been involved in the first place. I do think it is possible to include her in some way, but not where it would effect the real runners and their results.

the school was already making accomodations for her and she was racing in separate events that where wheelie-centric.