LAUSANNE, Switzerland, May 16, 2008
"Blade Runner" Wins Olympic Appeal
Court Rules Double-Amputee Oscar Pistorius Can Compete For Spot On Sprint Team
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Oscar Pistorius holds the 400-meter Paralympic world record of 46.56 seconds, but that time is outside the Olympic qualifying standard of 45.55. (AP)
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The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that the 21-year-old South African is eligible to race against able-bodied athletes, overturning a ban imposed by the International Association of Athletics Federations.
CAS said the unanimous ruling goes into effect immediately.
"I am ecstatic," Pistorius told reporters in Milan, Italy. "When I found out, I cried. It is a battle that has been going on for far too long. It's a great day for sport. I think this day is going to go down in history for the equality of disabled people."
Pistorius still must reach a qualifying time to run in the individual 400 meters at the Aug. 8-24 Beijing Games. However, he can be picked for the South African relay squad without qualifying. That relay squad has not yet qualified for the Olympics.
Pistorius appealed to CAS, world sport's highest tribunal, to overturn a Jan. 14 ruling by the IAAF that banned him from competing. The IAAF said his carbon fiber blades give him a mechanical advantage.
A two-day hearing was held before a panel of three arbitrators at CAS headquarters last month. Pistorius now is expected to get invitations from track and field promoters across the world who want him to run at their meets before Beijing.
Pistorius said he will be running in both able-bodied and Paralympic events before Beijing. His manager, Peet van Zyl, said the runner will compete in Milan on July 2 and the Golden Gala meet in Rome on July 11.
"Oscar will be welcomed wherever he competes this summer," IAAF president Lamine Diack said in a statement. "He is an inspirational man and we look forward to admiring his achievements in the future."
Pistorius holds the 400-meter Paralympic world record of 46.56 seconds, but that time is outside the Olympic qualifying standard of 45.55. His training has been disrupted by the appeal process.
Even if Pistorius fails to get the qualifying time, South African selectors could add the University of Pretoria student to the Olympic 1,600-meter relay squad.
Pistorius would not require a qualifying time and could be taken to Beijing as an alternate. Six runners can be picked for the relay squad. Pistorius also expects to compete in Beijing at the Sept. 6-17 Paralympic Games.
The verdict also clears Pistorius to dedicate himself to competing at the 2012 London Olympics.
"A lot of the time we've had this year we've devoted to the court case," Pistorius said. "Now when I get home, my time can be dedicated to training. I am going to have to start thinking about getting my body in shape in order to run those (qualifying) times. I am hopeful there will be enough time but it is going to be very difficult.
"We have the opportunity once again to chase my dream of participating in an Olympics, if not in 2008 then in 2012."
The IAAF based its January decision on studies by German professor Gert-Peter Brueggemann, who said the J-shaped "Cheetah" blades were energy efficient.
Pistorius' lawyers countered with independent tests conducted by a team led by MIT professor Hugh M. Herr that claimed to show he doesn't gain any advantage over able-bodied runners.
CAS said the IAAF failed to prove that Pistorius' running blades give him an advantage.
"The panel was not persuaded that there was sufficient evidence of any metabolic advantage in favor of a double-amputee using the Cheetah Flex-Foot," CAS said. "Furthermore, the CAS panel has considered that the IAAF did not prove that the biomechanical effects of using this particular prosthetic device gives Oscar Pistorius an advantage over other athletes not using the device."
Pistorius was born without fibulas - the long, thin outer bone between the knee and ankle - and was 11 months old when his legs were amputated below the knee.
Pistorius' lawyer was thrilled by the verdict.
"He simply has the chance now to compete fairly and equally," Jeffrey Kessler told The Associated Press. "We are particularly pleased that the decision is unanimous."
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See all 34 CommentsConcerns about athletes purposefully changing their anatomy, by artificial means outside of training, with this decision as an encouragement to such action? I think my fellow human would not willingly inflict this damage upon himself in the name of sport. If so, he or she has my unending pity.
I agree that this athlete is not exposed to the lower leg concerns able bodied runners have, however that does not mean he is without lower body risks. There are no doubt any number of mechanical issues that could lead to breakage or fit issues, or other problems. His running is not risk-free.
Another person thought it impossible to measure the biodynamic advantages and disadvantages of his prosthetic. I assure you it is not. It is an expensive effort, but the science is mature and a rational analysis can be made. Such analysis are made for astronaut suits, deep-sea workers gear, etc.
As to how *I''d* feel if I''d personally trained for years and then this runner bested my time? Though my or anyone''s feelings should not be a factor in the equation, my heartfelt answer to you nonetheless: I''d be honored to have been his worthy competitor.
Or cut my hands off in boxing and replace them with giant lead fists...
While I appreciate the eloquence of your arguments, I did not miss any point. The fact is (and you agreed) he is immune to breakdowns of the lower legs as other athletes are.
I would also agree with another poster that he uses less overall muscle in his running and expounds less energy.
Now, you may counter that he has other obstacles to overcomes. However, to try and balance those challenges he may experience (and no one has said that any exist) with mechanical legs is insanely difficult and quite frankly near impossible.
The reason we have such wonderful events as the Paralympic''s is for just this reason. He can compete against other athletes with the same technology and regulations for all.
This is such a clear cut decision, that the fact so many do not see how unfair it is to the other athletes is mind blowing.
Would you SERIOUSLY feel that after YOU trained day after day, week after week, year after year for your shot to be the best in the world and to loose to someone with mechanical legs would be ok and fair to you? No, you would not.
I for one, do not need a ''biodynamic'' analysis to see this is not a fair and equal competition.
I would venture this is simply trying to put more emotion and interest in the Olympic games, games that have been steadily declining in ratings and attendance.
The decision to allow someone with unnatural devices such as a pacemaker, hearing aid, contact lenses, must be based on one point only:
Does this device allow the athlete an unfair advantage?
It appears, though I''m unclear if the data is public, after thorough biodynamic analysis it has been determined that there is not an unfair advantage.
As for concerns another athlete may have a running shoe failure, or twist an ankle, break a toe, or other conditions that do not apply to this particular athlete, there are unique conditions that can go wrong for this athlete for which able-bodied athletes are not exposed. I trust the engineers determining the value of this athlete''s prosthetics measured this factor as well.
Rather than casting aspersions on judges, future athletes and others, could we assist one another looking for more information?
Does anyone here have access to or know where we might find records of the court''s decision and more details as to how they based this decision? That would be very useful.
Thank you,
Denise
Posted by raflin1
What happens when the artificial legs become more efficient than the traditional? The olympics should be a competition for human achievements. It shouldn''t include humans that are assisted with mechanical devices. How is this any different than not allowing humans on steroids to compete?
I think it''s great that you have a new hero to cheer for. I heard that he is having a prosthetic company making him a set of flipper legs so he can compete in the 200 and 400 freestyle! Hope the committee doesn''t think that is an advantage.
I''m not cutting off my legs. At least not yet. If gas prices keep going up I''ll probably have to get a smaller car. I might cut them off then to have more leg room. That would also make it easier for me to ride my skateboard because it would lower my center of gravity. Thanks for the advice!
Well, if you people really think he has an unfair advantage, then cut off your legs! Go ahead, I dare you! Cut off your legs and see what kind of advantage you get.
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Posted by Valis667 at 12:01 PM : May 16, 2008
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Just wait, somebody will. And, it will probably be the Chinese.
It''s about all athletes being able to compete on a fair and level playing field. You cannot view it from your own perspective of having legs.
He does not have ankles, toes, etc. that are susceptible to injury or breakdown DURING a race.
It''s not fair and quite frankly shocked it is being allowed.
Let me ask you this...what if he won? What would your opinion be then and what would you say to the others runners that lost? Cut off your legs and then you can compete?
Gulp.
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