As I mentioned, I am one of his guides. Aaron actually just sent a note a couple days ago to all of his guides thanking us and saying "this wouldn't be possible without you guys". He is an incredibly humble individual who shows sincere gratitude to the support system around him. And with regard to media or press, we aren't looking for accolades. If you're in triathlon for press, you are in the wrong sport. We do it to support Aaron. His enthusiasm, welcoming attitude, and kindness got me into the sport and guiding is my way of giving back to him what he already gave to me.

You're right... you are speaking out of ignorance. Calling into question his blindness isn't something worth addressing.

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It’s a very difficult issue and he is trying to be an ambassador and the voice of the blind community. Those of the blind/VI community have offered solutions to the problem by either using classification systems (B1/B2/B3) as they do in many other Paralympic competitions or using an equalizing factor (similar to a handicap) which is also used in Paralympic competition. These proposals have been rejected and this lawsuit was the last resort. Obviously, he is not doing this for monetary gains but rather to solve the problem and raise awareness.

In my opinion, this issue isn't about results or a pissing match of who is faster than whom. I don't understand why it ruffles so many feathers that Aaron is fast. He is racing in a separate division so you can have your nice age group medal.

Handicaps are probably the best solution. Nothing will be perfect. As I said before, if you think about it, the goggles are just dumb. They make a disabled person more disabled, and it is in fact more dangerous. Which all goes against the spirit of the games to begin with.

Based on the amount of vision an athlete has, they can set a time penalty getting down to zero. Now, this does have a downside, that the person crossing the line first may not be the overall winner. As an athlete (or guide in my case) you would not know if you are racing neck on neck with someone who has a penalty or not.

This system would result in the desired 1 medal. Unfortunately, from the conversations we have had with Tri Canada, it seems that the ITU has just been too lazy to come up with an alternative to this rule. Easy to say, "just wear goggles". More work to come up with time penalities.

In this case, Aaron stands to be put at more of a disadvantage. He will most definetely get the highest penalty as his sight will be better than most of his competitors. The athlete I guide is arguably the second fastest visually impaired triathlete next to Aaron. His vision is much worse than Aaron's and functionally not that much better than being fully blind with regards to racing. Aaron is so fast, that we don't stand a chance of catching him regardless of the changes in rules.

This whole thing has little to do with the actual technicalities of the rule, but more with the way it has been approached, and how the athletes have been treated with regards to the governing bodies.

We have faced similar issues in Canada. Our concerns are falling on deaf ears. The governing bodies are too concerned with getting the Olympic Committees agreement on having triathlon in the ParaOlympics and not the actual concerns of the athletes.

Now, I hear that there may be an alternative solution in the works. We would most likely be OK with any alternative to these goggles. The athletes (including Aaron) understand that there needs to be some sort of accomodation to allow them to race in one category, but this is not the one they should adopt.

So he gets special treatment - all while there are other FULLY blind people out there on a tether and a tandem and what ever to their co-racer? Bullshit. That gives him a distinct advantage over the other people in his PC category. Or, he can race on his own - no helper ever. Not in the swim, not on the bike, not on the run. And I will look it up - I am betting his bike is a tandem - so a "throw down" would not be too awful hard on the bike (for those of you who have ever ridden a TT on a tandem will know what I mean.).

In the same way that Oscar Pistorius has somewhat of an advantage in the 400m because he has springs for legs.

Fully blind are acclimated and train fully blind. He is not acclimated to that and being made fully blind is an issue.

My apologies if this has been addressed, but if the race requires the goggles, why not train with the goggles?

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Booo fucking hoo....Sorry champ, the first game you lost was the game of genetics. Life goes on.


Lost? At the game of genetics? I dont think so ! R10C you do a 4:32 HIM? I'm guessing it's more likely that they used to take your lunch money. Go kick a puppy, I'm sure you'll feel better about yourself after that too Champ.

This (the Olympic situation, not your post) is the most ridiculous thing I have heard of for ages. You can't go around artificially enabling people and putting them in a race that was initially devised to see who is most naturally able in that area. It's simply ridiculous.

If you don't have legs. You can't run. You and 'some help' can, but 'just you' can't. Totally sucks but there you go. I don't have the physical capabilities to win Ironman Kona but that doesn't mean I can just keep artificially adding to myself until I can. My wife is very short, she is crap at basketball. Stilts anyone? Not her fault she's short. Where does it end? She is rubbish at high jump too so maybe she can use the previously mentioned Oscar's spring to assist there too.

Sports is usually an indication of what you are physically capable of in that particular sport. Either play on a level playing field by their rules or jump in with the next group of level playing field.

I do totally understand that his predicament means he is at a huge disadvantage in a normal race and at a huge advantage in a 'Blind' race. So, Aaron, unfortunately your situation is such that there is no perfect group for you. You just can't just adjust an existing group until such point that it reaches your physical preference. The question is, is that what you really want? It's not your fault or anyone elses. ITU could make a division to suit you, but you might be the only guy in it.

Regards James - Regular Winner of the '39 and a 1/2 year old, over 6ft and over 180lb person that's only been competing three years, struggled with a few injuries in the first year but getting the hang of things a bit more now' Category.

Here in America we have freedom, we don't force people to wear black out glasses that make you look retarded. I am on his side on this one.

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You Yanks crack me up when you spit out this patriotic "In America we have freedom" crap...Guess what,so do the citizens of most western nations..


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What? Follow the rules? You mean they do not have to cater especially to me? Damnit!