Pistorius slams 'amateur' IAAF

2007-07-16 10:40

Sheffield - Oscar Pistorius accused athletics' world governing body of a lack of respect for disabled competitors after the amputee runner's bid to qualify for next month's World Championships in Japan suffered a setback at the British Grand Prix.

In wet conditions for the 400m, Pistorius, last of those who finished, was subsequently disqualified for running outside his lane.

The 20-year-old South African runs on carbon fibre blades attached to both his legs below the knee and his artificial 'limbs' are currently the subject of an investigation by the IAAF, athletics world governing body.

They have previously ruled that the blades are an unfair advantage but have said they will wait before making a final ruling.

There have also been complaints that Pistorius's presence in able-bodied races, while generating public interest, denies athletes with better times a chance of international competition.

Even though he currently requires IAAF clearance to compete in events such as Sunday's race in northern England, that didn't stop Pistorius lashing out at the official surveillance he is now encountering.

"They haven't been in contact with me... they should be working with me. They don't seem to have any respect for Paralympic sport," he told the BBC.

But an even bigger obstacle to Pistorius's hopes of running in Japan than official disapproval could be the weather, with the Pretoria runner markedly less effective on a wet track.

Conditions at a rain-soaked Don Valley Stadium on Sunday were not easy for anyone - United States Olympic and world champion Jeremy Wariner stumbled out of the blocks and then stopped as the field continued without him - but they clearly made life tough for Pistorius, especially on the bends.

In order to qualify for the 400m at Osaka, Pistorius has to post a time of 45.95 seconds or better.

To qualify for next year's Beijing Olympics, the South African would have to run 46.3 before July 2008 - and get IAAF approval.

He gave an indication of his ability by clocking 46.90 seconds in a 'B' race during Rome's Golden League meeting on Friday where several cameras tracked his progress as part of the IAAF's inquiry - something he labelled "amateur".

But time is running out for Pistorius, who had both legs amputated below the knee when less than a year old because of a congenital condition, if he is to qualify for the world championships.

And he admitted as much after a race on Sunday won by Angelo Taylor of the United States, the 400m hurdles champion at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Pistorius, last of the seven runners who completed the course, was more than a second behind sixth-placed Ato Modibo of Trinidad.

Such form suggests the IAAF may be spared having to rule on Pistorius's eligibility for Osaka as he would require a marked improvement to achieve the qualifying time.

"I've really learned a lot from this," said Pistorius after Sunday's race. "Things like the way they train and the way they compete. I have a long, long way to go before I get to that level."

- AFP