Sad news, Oscar Pistorius a double-amputee sprinter who
in May was cleared to compete for a place in the Beijing Olympics,
failed to qualify. Graham Dunbar of the
Associated Press reports:
“I am so excited and so happy. I really enjoyed tonight,” Pistorius said. “It was always going to be a very difficult task to achieve the individual time but there is still the hope of the relay.”
South Africa selectors will choose their team for the Aug. 8-24 Beijing Games by the weekend and can invite him to join the six-man roster for the 1,600-meter relay.
To do so would defy a public request from the IAAF because the body believes his prosthetic legs are a threat to his own and other athletes’ safety.
“I think it is the IAAF’s last desperate attempt to try to get me not to qualify,” Pistorius said.
In May he won an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport to overturn an IAAF ban which prevented him competing against able-bodied runners.
On Wednesday the New York legal firm of Dewey and Leboeuf, which steered that case, threatened a second legal action against the IAAF.
“We believe the IAAF is obligated to immediately advise the South African Federation and Olympic Committee that it has no objection to Mr. Pistorius competing in the 4x400m relay at the Beijing Games,” it said in a statement.
Win, lose, or draw. Oscar is a hero. If you’re looking for a role model or even just a little extra inspiration, Oscar's the guy. Great job Blade Runner!
