News / People
Oscar Pistorius Challenges Ban from Olympics
Pistorius received the news three days ago and has decided to challenge the IAAF ruling.
The IAAF banned the use of any technical devices that used “springs, wheels or any other element” in the fear that athletes would begin to use the mechanical aids to better their performances.
It has been a life long dream of Pistorius to compete with able-bodied athletes. Last July, the South African ran the 400 m B race in Rome at the Golden Gala. He finished in second place. Two days later, Pistorius placed last in Sheffield, Britain. He was disqualified because he ran out of his lane.
Professor Peter Bruggeman from the German Sport University in Cologne, reported that “Pistorius was able to run with his prosthetic blades at the same speed as the able-bodied sprinters with about 25 per cent less energy expenditure…It is evident that an athlete using the Cheetah prosthetic is able to run at the sae speed as able-bodied athletes with lower energy consumption.”
Pistorius was born without fibulas resulting in the amputation of his legs under the knees when he was 11 months old.
Deeming the report “premature and highly subjective, Pistorius will continue to fight for his chance in the Olympics.
IAAF has stated that the decision was based on their concern for future technology and it impact on prosthetic aids. “Its for the future…Its about what might happen in 20 or 30 years.”
