Disabled athlete Pistorius wins CAS appeal

Double amputee Oscar Pistorius can try to qualify for the Beijing [Images] Olympics [Images] after winning his appeal against a ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the South African's lawyer said on Friday.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) ruled in January that runner Pistorius cannot compete with able-bodied athletes because the carbon-fibre blades attached to both legs gave him an advantage.

"As you can imagine I have been struggling to hide my smile for the past half an hour," Pistorius told a news conference.

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

"I've missed the whole South African season. The goal is still there (to make it to Beijing) but I have got the Paralympics coming up," he said, as it was confirmed he would run in Milan on July 2 and at the Rome Golden Gala on July 11.

"The time period is very short. It's going to be very difficult for me to qualify (for the abled-bodied Games)."

CAS said in a statement that the IAAF had not proved competition rules had been contravened.

"On the basis of the evidence brought by the experts called by both parties, the panel was not persuaded that there was sufficient evidence of any metabolic advantage in favour of the double amputee using the Cheetah Flex-Foot," the statement said.

The IAAF has said athletes have until July 23 to qualify for the Aug 8-24 Games. He may be able run in a relay without the qualifying time.

Pistorius won gold in the 200 metres and bronze in the 100 metres at the 2004 Athens Paralympics and has competed mostly in able-bodied events in his homeland. He competed in two able-bodied 400 metre races in Rome and Sheffield last year.

The IAAF welcomed the decision and said more research needed to be conducted into the effects of prostheses.

"The IAAF accepts the decision of CAS, and Oscar will be welcomed wherever he competes this summer," a statement said.

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

© Copyright 2008 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.