[ossiblue]

What this all comes down to, IMO, is the basic principle of the Olympics--to determine the greatest performance possible by the human body.

Originally, the Olympians were nude and the competitors had only their natural skills to carry them through. Obviously, the modern Olympics requires uniforms (thank you very much) and even allows some technological enhancements for all competitors (think starting blocks, and spikes in track shoes.) If the event requires a device like a bow or a pole, technological advances in the area of the device are sometimes permitted and records are broken.

What hasn't changed, but is constantly being challenged by drugs and other forms of cheating, is the principle that the only thing that separates the competitors from each other is their natural human development and any technology allowed (ie. shoes) does not significantly alter the nature of the event--human vs human. The full-length swim suit was banned because it significantly changed the nature of a human body in water so the competitions became somewhat of a human powering a vehicle (the suit).

By definition, the use of prostheses violates the principle of performance by the human body if those devices are necessary for competition. The Olympic spirit, as tattered as it may be, is to find the best the human body can do. A competitor who needs a prosthesis to perform does not fit the criterion.

Think of it like this. A competition is set up to determine the performance limits of V-8 engines. Someone wants to enter the competition with a four cylinder, turbo-charged car which meets all specifications, horsepower, and speed requirements of the other cars. Should it be allowed to enter the competition? No, not because it has any unfair advantages but because it does not meet the basic purpose of competition--to establish the limits of V-8 engines. It would prove nothing except that a turbo four banger can compete with V-8's on an equal basis. So the same with the prostheses. It would prove someone with artificial limbs can compete with those without, but that is not the purpose of this Olympic competition. If the purpose was to determine the level of human achievement in overcoming unforeseen obstacles, then he should be allowed to compete.