Summer Olympics

In what can be a history making decision, double amputee South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius has shown his determination away from the track by making a stand in order to being able to compete at the upcoming Beijing Olympics. This 21 year-old sprinter is appealing a decision made by the International Association of Athletics Federations in January that prohibited him from participating due to what they termed his prosthetic blades giving him a strong advantage over able bodied athletes. This conclusion was derived from studies by German professor Gert-Peter Brueggemann who said that the j-shaped blades are in fact energy efficient and gives the athlete a mechanical advantage. Pistorius knows that this case which is supposed to last for two days, at the Court of Arbitration for Sport will have a profound impact on other disabled athletes with dreams of competing. “This case is important not just to me, but to all disabled persons who just ask for the chance to compete fairly on the sporting field with able-bodied athletes,” Pistorius said earlier this month. Despite finishing an impressive second last year in the 400 metres at the able-bodied South African national championships, Pistorius would still need to qualify to race at the Summer Games. Besides for the appeal, which should last only a couple of days until a decision is rendered, this athlete is also undergoing some independent tests from a team out of MIT to prove that he doesn’t have an advantage over his able-bodied competitors. If the appeal is successful than Pistorius would achieve his biggest victory ever as it should open doors and create opportunities for disabled athletes with aspirations to compete and go after their Olympic dreams.

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