As the so-called 'Paralympics' continue to their ultimate conclusion, world records seem to be accruing at a rate of knots. That's a perfectly normal, non-disabled knot, by the way.
Great for the competitors concerned but how much of the apparent improvement is down to them and how much is down to advances in their assorted medical and para-medical treatments ? Are 'Para-olympians' even subject to the same rules about the use of drugs as are proper Olympians ?
The 'Blade Runner', Oscar Pistorius, uses artificial 'legs' which are only possible as a result of technological advance; any records he sets are at least partly a result of the technology he has access to and which renders comparison with past performances impossible. There is every possibility that future advances will make his performances irrelevant; indeed, there must be a strong chance that future advances will make 'disabled athletes' able to outperform 'normal' athletes'. Where will we be then ?
I won't deny that 'normal' athletes have also benefited from advances in technology but the advances are much smaller. Improved tracks, equipment and training techniques have undoubtedly helped some to go further than was previously thought possible but this is hardly comparable with the already achieved and potential advances for 'disabled' athletes.
There are some events in which able-bodied competitors could equally take part; for instance, events where competitors are in wheelchairs could be entered by anyone. Such events could be competed for on an equal footing and might, of themselves, justify inclusion in the Olympic Games. Other events, in which competitors are classified according to the severity of their disability, or rely on artificaal limbs and the like simply have no place in an olympics of any sort.
Why can't people see this ?
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