Double amputee wins appeal

Vinsjets · May 16, 2008

I searched, and didn't see a thread about him being banned originally. If there is an original thread, my apologies.

Double amputee Pistorius wins appeal over ban
Fri May 16, 2008 9:57am EDT

By Mark Meadows

MILAN (Reuters) - Double amputee Oscar Pistorius can try to qualify for the Beijing Olympics after winning his appeal against a ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the South African's lawyer said on Friday.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) ruled in January that runner Pistorius could not compete with able-bodied athletes because the carbon-fibre blades attached to both legs gave him an advantage.

The 21 year-old appealed to the CAS, which ruled in his favor on Friday.

"As you can imagine I have been struggling to hide my smile for the past half an hour," Pistorius told a news conference.

"Now I can definitely say the truth has come out. I have the opportunity once again to chase my dream of the Olympics if not 2008, in 2012.

"I've missed the whole South African season. The goal is still there (to make Beijing) but I have got the Paralympics coming up," he said as it was confirmed he would run in Milan on July 2 and at the Rome Golden Gala on July 11.

"The time period is very short. It's going to be very difficult for me to qualify (for the abled-bodied Games)."

CAS said in a statement that the IAAF had not proved competition rules had been contravened.

"On the basis of the evidence brought by the experts called by both parties, the panel was not persuaded that there was sufficient evidence of any metabolic advantage in favor of the double amputee using the Cheetah Flex-Foot," the statement said.

The IAAF has said athletes have until July 23 to qualify for the Aug 8-24 Games. He may be able run in a relay without the qualifying time.

Pistorius won gold in the 200 meters and bronze in the 100 meters at the 2004 Athens Paralympics and has competed mostly in able-bodied events in his homeland. He competed in two able-bodied 400 meter races in Rome and Sheffield last year.

The IAAF welcomed the decision and said more research needed to be conducted into the effects of prostheses.

"The IAAF accepts the decision of CAS, and Oscar will be welcomed wherever he competes this summer," a statement said.

"He is an inspirational man and we look forward to admiring his achievements in the future."
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I think this is a fantastic ruling, and was initially shocked when they originally said he couldn't participate. Thoughts?

ILPhinFan88 · May 16, 2008

Good for him, I remember the intial ruling and didnt like it. The name of his prostheses prob didnt help in the intial ruling the "Cheetah Flex-Foot".

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