I've always thought they didn't have an advantage, but now that I think about it, isn't it an advantage because they waste no energy on the legs? They are doing a special on ESPN right now BTW. Some guy with Cheetah's (pic below) got banned from a league or something, cause he continuously beat normal people. What do you guys think?
Not to sound callous, but if he doesn't like his legs, he can always upgrade. So yeah. It's on the border of cybernetics, and we'll probably see more people exploit it. In a sense, I think it's great because it gives hope to those who have recently lost their limbs. But I think records broken by amputees should have their own category. That could have uncomfortable implications, but again, I think this sports category will only expand and grow.
If you're running on wooden legs, no. If you're running on those high tech spring legs, hell yes it gives you an advantage.
I can't believe that they won't let this guy run in the Olympics. I can understand stopping the progression of prosthetics in sports before able body folks start chopping off their legs to use high tech cyber limbs, but stopping this guy now is ridiculous. The fact that he uses Cheetah carbon fiber legs further infuriates my coalition of speedy friends.
To a certain extent, it is a disadvantage (with those 'spring' legs) because there is no lactic acid buildup in the legs. Thats what makes regular legs get tired. If your legs arent affected by lactic acid, then youll be to run 'Harder, Longer, Faster, Stronger'...
