"Blade Runner" Wins Olympic Appeal

Court Rules Double-Amputee Oscar Pistorius Can Compete For Spot On Sprint Team

(AP)  Double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius won his appeal Friday and can compete for a place in the Beijing Olympics.

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."

[tiretubhilry]

I WONDER WHAT TIMES HILLARY CAN RUN TO THE KITCHEN REFRIDGERATOR?

[mythoughtsr]

I''m all for equality for those with disabilities, for many reasons, including personal ones. However, this situation does NOT apply to equality.

[denisep8]

Thank you, Mercury 69, for the kind comment. I do appreciate it. Thank you also to the person who posted the link. Regarding other comments -

Concerns 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.

[ender18-2009]

If you cut off my arms and then attach rocket cannons and a spear launcher, I may be able to get gold in the shotput and javelin.

Or cut my hands off in boxing and replace them with giant lead fists...

[mecury69]

Denise,

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.

[shanev137]

Instead of steroids, we''ll now have runner cutting off their legs so they can win the Olympics.

[jjddd05]

I think we should let people ride bicycles in the 400 meters.

[qwerty821]

If you are interested in more data, follow the link http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/15/sports/othersports/15runner.html?scp=18&sq=Oscar+Pistorius&st=nyt to a New York Times article. Click on the multimedia link to see a comparison between running with the blades and an able bodied runner. While not conclusive, it appears that the blades provide no advantage over an able bodied runner.

[neo267-2009]

Then carbon-fibre "shoes" should be fine for normal people too.

[joecoolswat]

I don''t understand the ruling...The Flex and re-coil energy that the artificial limb provides, gives an un-fair advantage against human leg structure....anybody care to comment on this...If I put some springs on my feet, how fast can I bounce?