| Posted
5-16-08
Amputee sprinter wins appeal; can try to qualify for Olympics
Lausanne, Switzerland (Sports Network) - Double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius will have a chance to qualify for the Beijing Olympics after the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned a January ruling by track and field's governing body that said prosthetic blades give the South African an unfair advantage over able-bodied runners.
The International Association of Athletics Federations said in its January 14 verdict that Pistorius' "cheetahs" are considered technical aids and are in clear violation of an IAAF rule.
Pistorius filed an appeal in February and the CAS ruled Friday that the IAAF "did not meet its burden of proof."
The ruling goes into effect immediately, meaning Pistorius can compete in track and field events this summer. Still, he must reach established qualifying times to participate in the Olympics.
Pistorius was born without fibulas in both legs due to a congenital condition. He has set records in the 100, 200 and 400 meter sprints at Paralympic events, while running with the aid of carbon fiber transtibial artificial limbs.
The IAAF said it used the results of an independent scientific study carried out by Professor Peter Bruggemann at the German Sport University in Cologne to weigh its decision. The study compared Pistorius with five able-bodied athletes who are capable of similar levels of performance at 400 meters.
In conclusion, the study showed Pistorius was able to run with his prosthetic blades at the same speed as the able-bodied sprinters with about 25 percent less energy expenditure. As soon as a certain speed was reached, running with the prosthetics needed less additional energy than running with natural limbs, according to the study.
The CAS panel, after hearing arguments from lawyers and experts for both parties, determined otherwise.
In its Friday ruling, the CAS panel determined that the IAAF Rule 144.2(e) -- use of any technical device that incorporates springs, wheels or any other element that provides the user with an advantage over another athlete not using such a devise -- was likely adopted in March of 2007 with Pistorius in mind, and that the testing done in Cologne was likely distorted against Pistorius.
The IAAF did not dispute the CAS ruling.
"The IAAF accepts the decision of CAS and Oscar will be welcomed wherever he competes this summer," said IAAF president Lamine Diack in a statement. "He is an inspirational man and we look forward to admiring his achievements in the future."
Known as the "blade runner," the 21-year-old Pistorius holds the 400-meter Paralympic record of 46.56 seconds. The Olympic qualifying time is 45.55 seconds. |
