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July 5, 2008 7:31:41 PM CDT

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Runner Blasts Olympics for Indecision

Posted Jul 16, 07 8:04 AM CDT in World,  Technology,  Sports    Editor's Choice

(Newser) – Oscar Pistorius, the South African double amputee fighting to run in the 2008 Olympics, finished seventh in a British 400m trial yesterday, and was then disqualified for running out of his lane. But his performance, substantially off his best, wasn't what was bothering him afterwards. Pistorius lashed out at the IAAF for standing in the way of his Beijing dream.

In March the IAFF banned any runner who benefits from artificial help, but they still haven't decided whether his carbon blades constitute an advantage. The delay in a decision is undermining his training, he says, and they haven't even contacted him yet. "The least they could do is give me the chance to fight my fight and work with me and not against me," he told the BBC.

Source BBC

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South Africa's amputee runner Oscar Pistorious starts the men's 400 metres at the British Grand Prix at the Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield, England, Sunday July 15, 2007. Angelo Taylor of the United...   (Associated Press)
South Africa's Oscar Pistorius, left, chases the field as Angelo Taylor of the United States, right, wins the the men's 400 metres during the British Grand Prix at the Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield, England,...   (Associated Press)
South Africa's Oscar Pistorius crosses the finish line in the men's 400-meter race during the Golden Gala athletics meeting in Rome's Olympic stadium, Friday, July 13, 2007. Pistorius, who races on carbon...   (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...   (Associated Press)
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Oscar Pistorius British Grand Prix 400m   (TheMightyMariner (YouTube))

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