Legless Man Denied Chance to Compete In 2008 Beijing Olympics

The International Amateur Athletic Federations (IAAF) ruled Monday that a double-amputee sprinter is not eligible to compete in the 2008 Olympics because his prosthetic racing legs give him a competitive advantage.

The Executive Council of the IAAF said the curved, prosthetic blades were a technical aid in violation of the rules.

Oscar Pistorius, who is 21 years old, was born without calf bones. Doctors soon amputated his legs just under the kneecap so that he could be given a chance to walk on prosthetic legs rather than be confined to a wheel chair all his life. Pistorius made the most of a remarkably difficult set of circumstances., always involving himself in athletics and sports competition. In High School, he played rugby, water polo, and tennis. But after a rib injury sidelined him from those activities, he started running.

He runs with the aid of two carbon fiber transtibial artificial limbs, which are curved and contoured and look very fucking cool. After he broke the World Record in the 200 meters at the 2004 Summer Paralympics, fans started calling Pistorius "The Blade Runner." His legend grew as he dominated the Paralympic Games in 2005 and 2006, during which he won five gold medals and shattered his own World Record in the 200 meters twice. The Blade Runner's best time in the 200 meters currently stands at 21.58 seconds, compared to the 19.32 seconds run by the "able-bodied" world record holder, Michael Johnson.

In 2007, Pistorius competed in his first Open event, finishing second in his 400 meter heat with a time of 46.90 seconds (compared with Johnson's world best of 43.18 seconds). As Pistorius became more competitive, a definitive ruling was needed on his eligibility prior to the upcoming Olympic trials races, and this ruling denies him the chance to compete.

Pistorius has vowed to appeal, but South African officials said they would immediately apply the current decision, thus barring Pistorius from competing while his appeals are pending.

"That's a huge blow," said Pistorius' manager, Peet Van Zyl. "He has been competing in South African able-bodied competition for the past year. "

German professor Gert-Peter Brueggemann, who conducted tests on the limbs, said they give Pistorius a clear competitive advantage over able-bodied runners. "An athlete using this prosthetic blade has a demonstrable mechanical advantage [more than 30%] when compared to someone not using the blade," the IAAF said.

The ruling does not affect Pistorius' eligibility for Paralympic events. Pistorius will undoubtedly keep fighting. His motto, after all, is: You're not disabled by the disabilities you have, you are able by the abilities you have.