Oscar can't stop smiling

The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that the 21-year-old South African is eligible to race against able-bodied athletes, overturning a ban imposed by the International Association of Athletics Federations.

CAS said the unanimous ruling goes into effect immediately.

Pistorius told reporters in Milan: "As you can imagine I have been struggling to hide my smile for the last half an hour."

"I can definitely say the truth has come out. We have the opportunity once again to chase my dream of participating in an Olympics, if not in 2008 then in 2012."

Pistorius must still reach a qualifying time to run in the individual 400m at the August 8-24 Beijing Games. However, he can be picked for the South African relay squad without qualifying.

Hearing held before panel

Pistorius appealed to the CAS, the world sport's highest tribunal, to overturn a January 14 ruling by the IAAF that banned him from competing against able-bodied runners. The IAAF said his carbon fiber blades gave him a mechanical advantage.

A two-day hearing was held before a panel of three arbitrators at CAS headquarters last month.

The IAAF said it accepted the binding decision.

"Oscar will be welcomed wherever he competes this summer," IAAF president Lamine Diack said in a statement.

"He is an inspirational man and we look forward to admiring his achievements in the future."

Pistorius holds the 400m Paralympic world record of 46:56s, but that time is outside the Olympic qualifying standard of 45:55s. His training has also been disrupted by the appeal process.

Even if Pistorius fails to get the qualifying time, South African selectors could add the University of Pretoria student to the Olympic 1 600m relay squad.

Verdict clears Pistorius

Pistorius would not require a qualifying time and could be taken to Beijing as an alternate. Six runners can be picked for the relay squad. Pistorius also expects to compete in Beijing at the September 6-17 Paralympic Games.

The verdict also clears Pistorius to dedicate himself to competing at the 2012 London Olympics.

The IAAF based its January decision on studies by German professor Gert-Peter Brueggemann, who said the J-shaped "Cheetah" blades were energy efficient.

Pistorius' lawyers countered with independent tests conducted by a team led by MIT professor Hugh M Herr, which claimed to show he doesn't gain any advantage over able-bodied runners.

CAS said the IAAF failed to prove that Pistorius' running blades gave him an advantage.