Miss-Delectable
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Possible changes to starting procedures for deaf | Herald Sun
A BREAKTHROUGH legal challenge involving a deaf Queensland junior sprinter could eventually lead to radical changes to starting procedures at Olympic Games level.
Deaf track and field athletes currently remain at significant disadvantage because athletics, unlike swimming, has refused to allow the use of strobe light mechanisms to signify a start.
Deaf runners have had to either anticipate the start or simply react as soon as their able-bodied rivals have, immediately placing them at a disadvantage.
But that might now change because of Deaf Sport Australia's successful discrimination claim to Human Rights Commission involving Sekou Kanneh, an 11-year-old with undisputed sprinting ability.
DSA took up Kanneh's cause after the youngster was denied the use of visual starting prompts at the national junior titles, where he finished second in the 100m and 200m. School Sports Australia first denied Kanneh, claiming it would create a precedent, which "would create problems for the organisation in the future".
School Sports Australia was backed in its stance by Athletics Australia, which operates under the International Amateur Athletics Federation protocols.
The Human Rights Commission found in Kanneh's favour.
Long-serving International Olympic Committee member Kevan Gosper hopes track and field athletes affected by deafness will ultimately be able to use visual prompts at the highest level.
Federal Minister for Sport Mark Arbib supports DSA's push.
The drive comes as debates continues over the merits of allowing South African Oscar Pistorius, a double amputee known as the "Blade Runner", to compete at the London Olympics.
A BREAKTHROUGH legal challenge involving a deaf Queensland junior sprinter could eventually lead to radical changes to starting procedures at Olympic Games level.
Deaf track and field athletes currently remain at significant disadvantage because athletics, unlike swimming, has refused to allow the use of strobe light mechanisms to signify a start.
Deaf runners have had to either anticipate the start or simply react as soon as their able-bodied rivals have, immediately placing them at a disadvantage.
But that might now change because of Deaf Sport Australia's successful discrimination claim to Human Rights Commission involving Sekou Kanneh, an 11-year-old with undisputed sprinting ability.
DSA took up Kanneh's cause after the youngster was denied the use of visual starting prompts at the national junior titles, where he finished second in the 100m and 200m. School Sports Australia first denied Kanneh, claiming it would create a precedent, which "would create problems for the organisation in the future".
School Sports Australia was backed in its stance by Athletics Australia, which operates under the International Amateur Athletics Federation protocols.
The Human Rights Commission found in Kanneh's favour.
Long-serving International Olympic Committee member Kevan Gosper hopes track and field athletes affected by deafness will ultimately be able to use visual prompts at the highest level.
Federal Minister for Sport Mark Arbib supports DSA's push.
The drive comes as debates continues over the merits of allowing South African Oscar Pistorius, a double amputee known as the "Blade Runner", to compete at the London Olympics.