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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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No Olympics for Blade Runner

Prosthetics make Pistorius too speedy

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(Newser) – Double amputee Oscar Pistorius won’t compete in the 2008 Olympic Games, because the runner's prosthetic legs give him an unfair advantage, the IAAF ruled this morning. The South African plans to appeal, maintaining that the “cheetah” blades he uses put him on par with the able-bodied, but a German expert's investigation concluded otherwise, the Guardian reports.

Pistorius underwent 2 days of testing along with five able-bodied athletes with similar 400m times. The study found that the blades provided a mechanical edge of over 30%, reducing the energy needed to lift the body and the energy lost in ankle joints. "It is evident that an athlete using the 'Cheetah' prosthetic is able to run at the same speed as able-bodied athletes with lower energy consumption," the IACC concluded.

South Africa's Oscar Pistorius cuts the finish line during the 400-meter during the Golden Gala athletics meeting in Rome, in this July 13, 2007 file photo. The IAAF ruled Monday, Jan. 14, 2008, that double-amputee sprinter Pistorius is ineligible to compete in the Beijing Olympics because his prosthetic racing blades...
South Africa's Oscar Pistorius cuts the finish line during the 400-meter during the Golden Gala athletics meeting in Rome, in this July 13, 2007 file photo. The IAAF ruled Monday, Jan. 14, 2008, that...   (Associated Press)
South Africa's Oscar Pistorius in action during the 400-meter during the Golden Gala athletics meeting in Rome, in this July 13, 2007 file photo. The IAAF ruled Monday, Jan. 14, 2008, that double-amputee sprinter Pistorius is ineligible to compete in the Beijing Olympics because his prosthetic racing blades give him...
South Africa's Oscar Pistorius in action during the 400-meter during the Golden Gala athletics meeting in Rome, in this July 13, 2007 file photo. The IAAF ruled Monday, Jan. 14, 2008, that double-amputee...   (Associated Press)
South African amputee champion runner, Oscar Pistorius, sprints during a training session in Pretoria, South Africa, in this Thursday June 21, 2007 file photo. Pistorius, who runs with carbon fiber blades below both knees, will take on Olympic and world 400-meter champion Jeremy Wariner in his international top flight debut...
South African amputee champion runner, Oscar Pistorius, sprints during a training session in Pretoria, South Africa, in this Thursday June 21, 2007 file photo. Pistorius, who runs with carbon fiber blades...   (Associated Press)
South African amputee champion sprinter, Oscar Pistorius, rests after a training session in Pretoria, South Africa, Thursday June 21, 2007. International track officials said Friday June 22, 2007 that Pistorius can now compete against the world's best athletes in a softening of attitude towards the disabled runner. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)
South African amputee champion sprinter, Oscar Pistorius, rests after a training session in Pretoria, South Africa, Thursday June 21, 2007. International track officials said Friday June 22, 2007 that...   (Associated Press)
South African amputee champion sprinter, Oscar Pistorius, prior to a training session in Pretoria, South Africa, in this Thursday, June 21, 2007 file photo. Pistorius said that he will appeal
South African amputee champion sprinter, Oscar Pistorius, prior to a training session in Pretoria, South Africa, in this Thursday, June 21, 2007 file photo. Pistorius said that he will appeal "at the...   (Associated Press)
Double-amputee Oscar Pistorius prepares for a training session at Brunel University, Uxbridge, London Tuesday July 10, 2007. Pistorius, a double-amputee who races using carbon fiber blades attached below his knees, will compete for the first time in an elite able-bodied field on Sunday in Sheffield, England. (AP Photo/PA, Tim Ockenden)
Double-amputee Oscar Pistorius prepares for a training session at Brunel University, Uxbridge, London Tuesday July 10, 2007. Pistorius, a double-amputee who races using carbon fiber blades attached below...   (Associated Press)
South African amputee champion sprinter, Oscar Pistorius, performs stretch exercises prior to a training session in Pretoria, South Africa, Thursday June 21, 2007. International track officials said Friday June 22, 2007 that Pistorius can now compete against the world's best athletes in a softening of attitude towards the disabled runner...
South African amputee champion sprinter, Oscar Pistorius, performs stretch exercises prior to a training session in Pretoria, South Africa, Thursday June 21, 2007. International track officials said Friday...   (Associated Press)
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