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2012-04-26 2:20 PM
in reply to: #4175012

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Subject: RE: Partially blind triathlete sues over requirement he wear blackout glasses

BigDH - 2012-04-26 2:34 PM First world problem if I ever heard of one. We are talking about competition. I don't anything is preventing him from participating without the glasses, just in qualifying for an award.

You are required to have a guide and tether for the swim, and tandem for the bike. The run allows elbow lead, tether, or run free. If you run free (no glasses) I'd make it ineligible for awards, because then you're not technically disabled for that segment. Something similar to the rule for wetsuits, you can wear them but no prize.

I have run with a blind athlete, she also competes in triathlon but as we are not the same sex I cannot be her guide. She's fast and competitive, and most definitely plays to win. With a competent guide she has no problem running in our group at our normal pace. We do, however, tend to run a bit more carefully because there is still a lag between instruction and reaction. It would be a definite advantage not to require a guide. 

eta: Sports are entirely voluntary activities. If you don't like the rules, don't play. Am I being subject to age discrimination because I am required to be in a particular AG?



Edited by BrianRunsPhilly 2012-04-26 2:33 PM


2012-04-26 2:26 PM
in reply to: #4174363

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Subject: RE: Partially blind triathlete sues over requirement he wear blackout glasses

I'm not a golfer but isn't 'leveling the playing field' the whole purpose of golf handicaps?

Closer to home.....aren't the AG categories also an attempt to "level the paying field" so a 60 year old is not competing against a 20 year old.

Maybe I should being suit against USAT for not having a category for "6'3" men over 250 lbs".  :-)

Whatever you do, someone will complain about it.  Some folks would complain if you hung with a new rope!

 

2012-04-26 5:04 PM
in reply to: #4174363

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Subject: RE: Partially blind triathlete sues over requirement he wear blackout glasses

It seems pretty clear that those who are accustomed to being fully blind would be at an advantage to those who are only partially blind normally and are then thrust into blindness for the duration of the run only. Similarly, without the blackout glasses, it's reasonable to argue that the partially blind have an advantage over the fully blind.

It seems as though, if we're headed for "fair," we need two separate categories for legally blind and actually blind. If there are too few people to fill those categories separately for a worthwhile competition, then I would say that "fair" would just have to be the state that you're naturally in on race day and put both categories together.

What's disturbing to me is that there is no visually impaired person involved in the USAT regulation and that, at least according to this article, USAT seems to be uninterested in including any visually impaired people in these decisions. Similarly, it seems that Scheidie's recommendations for improvement have been ignored.

I hope that USAT's claims that they will change the rules for next year are in fact true, and that they will take Scheidie's arguments into account as they seem quite legitimate to me.

2012-04-26 5:55 PM
in reply to: #4174363

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Subject: RE: Partially blind triathlete sues over requirement he wear blackout glasses

Can he really sue?  I mean...If he registered then he signed a contract in which the rules are clearly stated.  If he didn't register, then he hasn't entered any agreement in which forces him to do something.  And he can't sue for discrimination, as the rule is there specifically so that there is no discrimination.

 

2012-04-26 9:40 PM
in reply to: #4174883

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Subject: RE: Partially blind triathlete sues over requirement he wear blackout glasses
Tom Demerly. - 2012-04-26 1:39 PM

... to acheive effective parody with other athletes.

There's a joke there somewhere, but I'm too tired to make it.

2012-04-27 12:34 AM
in reply to: #4175120

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Subject: RE: Partially blind triathlete sues over requirement he wear blackout glasses
Goosedog - 2012-04-26 9:08 AM
tri808 - 2012-04-26 3:02 PM

If I were the race organization...I and I lost a lawsuit like this...I would simply change my rules to say that only 100% blind people can participate in the blind division...or that EVERYONE in the blind division (regardless if you can see nothing or 10%) has to wear black out glasses.  Problem solved.

This is the rule now:  (ix) All TRI 6 paratriathletes shall use approved "black out glasses" during the entire run portion (beginning at their assigned space in the transition area.

So, problem not really solved.

 

Ok...then I don't get it.  I guess they should make separate divisions for everyone.  1600 participants, 1600 different divisions.  Because none of us are the same, and we cannot be grouped together.



2012-04-27 7:27 AM
in reply to: #4174363

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Subject: RE: Partially blind triathlete sues over requirement he wear blackout glasses
I Work with kids that have disabilities and this is back assward from the way the rest of the world, BTW. In the rest of the world the more handicapped individual is given accommodations and modifications to increase their performance so that it levels the playing field. I have a hard time wrapping my brain around this. Again, though, if my house has stupid rules that you don't like, then don't come over and then complain about my rules.

Is this thing publicly funded in some way? Don't they have the right to be as stupid as they like?
2012-04-27 7:58 AM
in reply to: #4174363

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Subject: RE: Partially blind triathlete sues over requirement he wear blackout glasses

I agree with the fact that he should have to wear the blackout glasses.  Otherwise, competing against other blind athletes who have lost 100% of their vision, he does have a significant advantage.   

"He says he has proposed workarounds, including winner groups based on level of sight" - I think that's a little bit much, no?  Should we have different categories based on height (5'0 - 5'4", 5-5" - 5-8", etc) or based on weight (151lb-170lb, 171lb - 190lb, etc).  

"Partially blind runners compete in same group as totally blind runners, groups say."  Well, the blackout glasses does level the playing field.  Your 20% ability is a significant advantage over someone with 0% ability.

I'm not unsympathetic to this guy, and I'm glad my sight is okay.  I just don't think it has merit.



2012-04-27 12:50 PM
in reply to: #4175659

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Subject: RE: Partially blind triathlete sues over requirement he wear blackout glasses

"Can he really sue?"

This is the United States. Of course he can.

 

2012-04-27 12:52 PM
in reply to: #4175012

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Subject: RE: Partially blind triathlete sues over requirement he wear blackout glasses

"First world problem if I ever heard of one."

Amen, Brother.

2012-04-27 2:03 PM
in reply to: #4174363

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Subject: RE: Partially blind triathlete sues over requirement he wear blackout glasses

I have a hard time understanding this suit. I realize that the ADA might come into play but it seems that they are being accomodated here for all disabilities. Just because it does not fit exactly everyones situation should not be a reason to sue. If the gentleman wants different rules, he is welcome to start his own triathlon and institute whatever rules he wants as well as what his insurance will allow him or require of him.

 



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