TRACK AND FIELD
Double-Amputee Pistorius Is Ineligible for Olympics
The IAAF said it believes the racing blades used by Oscar Pistorius, above, gives the South African runner a "demonstrable mechanical advantage."
(By Stu Forster -- Getty Images)
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All his life, Oscar Pistorius has confronted obstacles. The double-amputee sprinter from South Africa now faces another one -- a decision barring him from the Olympics.
Track and field's governing body ruled yesterday that Pistorius is ineligible to compete this summer in Beijing -- or any other sanctioned able-bodied competitions -- because his "Cheetah" racing blades are "technical aids" that give him a clear advantage.
"An athlete using this prosthetic blade has a demonstrable mechanical advantage (more than 30 percent) when compared to someone not using the blade," the International Association of Athletics Federations said on its Web site.
Pistorius had long learned not to consider his artificial legs a hindrance, even refusing to park his car in a spot for the disabled.
His manager, Peet Van Zyl, called the IAAF ruling a "huge blow." Van Zyl spoke briefly with Pistorius, saying he "could hear from his voice that he is disappointed."
"He has been competing in South African able-bodied competition for the past three years," Van Zyl said. "At this stage it looks like he is out of any able-bodied event."
The 21-year-old runner said last week he would appeal "to the highest levels" if the ruling went against him. He could take his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland. The International Olympic Committee said it "respects" the IAAF decision.
"This decision has nothing to do with Oscar Pistorius' athletic merits. What is important is to ensure fair competition," the IOC said in a statement.
South Africa's national track and field federation says it is bound by IAAF rules and must keep Pistorius from some national races he has entered for several years.
The IAAF based its decision on a study in Germany by professor Gert-Peter Brueggemann. He found several indicators the Cheetah blades provided an unfair edge.
The federation said Pistorius had been allowed to compete in some able-bodied events until now because his case was unique and such artificial protheses had not been properly studied.
-- From News Services
