JUSTICE PREVAILS:
Double-Amputee Pistorius Wins Appeal Over IAAF; Earns Right to Try for Olympics
Posted May 16th, 2008 at 4:18 PM by Adam Jacobs
Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics
Double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius won his appeal to be eligible to compete in the Olympics using the carbon-fiber prosthetics that have gained him the nickname “Blade Runner.'’
The Court of Arbitration for Sport today overturned a ban on the 21-year-old South African runner by the International Association of Athletics Federations, which said studies found the prosthetic blades gave him an unfair advantage.
“The panel was not persuaded that there was sufficient evidence of any metabolic advantage,'’ the Lausanne, Switzerland-based court said in a ruling on its Web site.
Pistorius needs to shave 1.01 seconds from his best time to reach the Olympic qualifying standard for the 400-meter sprint to compete in the race at the Beijing Games in August. The Associated Press said he may be picked as an alternate for the South African team even if he doesn’t meet the qualifying mark.
The judgment only applies to Pistorius and could be overturned if further tests prove his blades give him an advantage, according to the court, the highest appeals panel in international sports.
“We’re very, very pleased,'’ said Jeffrey Kessler, the attorney representing Pistorius. “This will give not just Oscar but all disabled athletes a shot, and that’s all they can hope for.'’
Pistorius, known as the “fastest thing on no legs”, was barred from competing with able-bodied athletes by the IAAF after two days of tests conducted with the double amputee at the German Sport University’s Institute of Biomechanics at Cologne.
30 Percent Edge?
The IAAF, citing the research, said on Jan. 14 that the blades he used offered a 30 percent advantage because they needed less additional energy than natural limbs.
“It is absolutely the most exciting thing that has ever happened in terms of the way the sport has turned,'’ said Dick Traum, president and founder of the Achilles Track Club, the world’s largest group of disabled distance runners. “One of the things that’s very important is that over the past generation the way people look at amputees has changed dramatically. People like this man are admired instead of ushered to the side.'’
Pistorius was born without his fibula, the smaller of the two bones in the lower legs, and both limbs were amputated below the knees when he was 11 months old. As a teenager, he competed in sports including rugby and wrestling. He took up running to recover from a rugby injury.
He has broken more than 20 Paralympic world records and needs to shave 1.01 seconds from his best time of 46.56 seconds to meet the Olympic 400-meter qualifying standard. Earlier this month Pistorius was also named one of the “100 Most Influential People of 2007″ by TIME Magazine.
IAAF President Lamine Diack today said the track-and-field ruling body accepted the court’s decision.
“Oscar will be welcomed wherever he competes this summer,'’ Diack said in a statement. “He is an inspirational man.'’
There was no immediate comment from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
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Tags: amputee athletes, blade runner, carbon fiber prosthetics, Court of Arbitration for Sport, IAAF, International Association of Athletics Federations, lamine diack, Oscar Pistorius, South Africa, sprinter
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The Final Sprint
I think he should be allowed to run. But as the WaPo brings up, where do we draw the line when technology starts making those who are disabled more abled than everyone else?
May 16th, 2008 at 4:20 pmOn behalf of disabled athletes Oscar
May 16th, 2008 at 4:53 pmhas already won a gold medal.
He is a real modern day hero.
His only real advantage is his limitless desire to compete. He’s definitely an inspiration.
May 16th, 2008 at 6:48 pmI find the issue of Oscar Pistorius endlessly interesting. Personally, I don’t think he should be able to compete using his Cheetah Flex-Foot blades. Granted, I haven’t personally gone through all the evidence, but I’m skeptical of whatever evidence he put forth given that no one outside of the hearing has been able to see it.
Anyway, I detailed my thoughts on the matter on my blog (linked in my name).
May 17th, 2008 at 12:47 pmMr. Pistorius is truly an inspiration; however, I don’t agree with the ruling. While he may (or may not) be getting an advantage I am afraid that this will set a bad precident. As crazy as it sounds, I am afraid that we will have ‘engineered’ athletes one day. Maybe it seems far fetched but so did having a computer the size of a shoe box.
May 17th, 2008 at 9:15 pmI congratulate Oscar for his persistance in this matter. He is a different kettle of fish from anybody else in the mindset steaks. Oscar is a winner in my books and allways will be. I wish him good luck in qualifying for Beijing and that he gives a good account of himself when he gets there.
May 19th, 2008 at 12:24 pm