New evidence to support Oscar?

2008-02-18 22:28

Pieter Malan

St Petersburg - Oscar Pistorius may present new evidence to international athletics administrators to be allowed to compete against able-bodied runners.

And the South African enjoys support from Tyson Gray, the American who won three gold medals at the Osaka world championships last year.

"If I did not believe I have a foot to stand on - which I don't have, of course - I would not have appealed against the decision of the athletics authorities," Pistorius, a double amputee, told journalists on Monday.

His legal advisers feel there are several reasons to question the decision by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), who have ruled that Pistorius's artificial limbs give him advantage and that he should therefore not run against able-bodied athletes.

Pistorius pointed out that another SA sprinter, Joseph van der Linde, was more than a second slower over 100m than he had been before he lost a leg in an accident.

Van der Linde, who used to run the short sprint in 10.4 seconds, now uses a "blade" that is similar to those Pistorius has.

"If my artificial limbs gave me an advantage, as alleged by the IAAF, Joseph should run faster, not slower," he said.

Peet van Zyl, Pistorius's manager, said the New York lawyers who were handling the case were not fighting merely on technical aspects of the IAAF's ruling.

"There are also other legal issues, such as the human rights arguments and the fact that Oscar is being denied the opportunity to earn money (by competing in races for able-bodied athletes)."

Pistorius said he had received much support from callers who reacted to the IAAF's decision.

Organisers of a number of top European meetings, including the Golden Gala event in Rome where Pistorius ran last year, have sent messages of support and encouragement.

Pistorius said he had accepted that he was not going to compete at the Beijing Olympics later this year.

Accepting it was made easier by the fact that he would have had to improve his best time by 0.8 seconds to qualify for the Games.

Van Zyl said Pistorius would not turn his back on the Paralympic Games.

"He has been entered fore the 100m, 200m and 400m and intends winning three gold medals and breaking his world records.

Pistorius is in Russia for the Laureus Awards ceremony. He was nominated in the category for Breakthrough of the Year.

Pistorius said to be nominated against MotoGP star Casey Stoner and Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton was a huge honour.

"I feel this is an indication that Paralympic sport is at last getting the recognition it deserves."

- Die Burger