Ben Preiss
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Oscar Pistorius, South Africa’s double-amputee sprinter, was ruled ineligible to compete in the Beijing Olympics because his prosthetic racing legs give him a clear competitive advantage by the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations). The IAAF’s executive Council said the runner’s curved, prosthetic “Cheetah” blades were considered a technical aid in violation of the rules. Cited were studies by German professor Gert-Peter Brueggemann indicating that the blades provide “a demonstrable mechanical advantage (more than 30 percent) when compared to someone not using the blade.” Pistorius will still be able to compete in the Paralympics.
 Athletics South Africa said it would immediately apply the decision, further complicating Pistorius' future since he will not be able to set legal Olympic qualifying times in his own country.
"That's a huge blow," said Pistorius' manager, Peet Van Zyl. "He has been competing in South African abled-bodied competition for the past three years. At this stage it looks like he is out of any able-bodied event."
The decision was reached in an e-mail vote by the 27-member IAAF Council. The vote count was not disclosed but was believed to be unanimous.
Brueggemann found that Pistorius was able to run at the same speed as able bodied runners on about a quarter less energy. He found that once the runners hit a certain stride, athletes with artificial limbs needed less additional energy than other athletes.
The professor found that the returned energy "from the prosthetic blade is close to three times higher than with the human ankle joint in maximum sprinting."
Based on these findings, the Council ruled against Pistorius.
(news.yahoo)References: telegraph, news.yahoo Filed In: |
