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Geneva: Double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius won his appeal on Friday and can compete for a place in the Beijing Olympics.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) 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 (IAAF).
"I am ecstatic," Pistorius said. "When I found out I cried. It is a battle that has been going on for far too long. It's a great day for sport. I think this day is going to go down in history for the equality of disabled people."
CAS said the unanimous ruling goes into effect immediately.
"As you can imagine I have been struggling to hide my smile for the last half an hour," Pistorius said.
"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 400 metres at the August 8-24 Games.
However, he can be picked for the South African relay squad without qualifying.
Significant appeal
Pistorius appealed to CAS, world sport's highest tribunal, to overturn a January 14 ruling by the IAAF, which banned him from competing against able-bodied runners.
The IAAF said his carbon fibre 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 Council's decision of January 14, 2008 is revoked with immediate effect and the athlete is eligible to compete in IAAF events," CAS said yesterday.
The IAAF said it accepted the binding decision.
"Oscar will be welcomed wherever he competes this summer," IAAF president Lamine Diack said. "He is an inspirational man and we look forward to admiring his achievements in the future."
Pistorius holds the 400 metre Paralympic world record of 46.56 seconds, but that time is outside the Olympic qualifying standard of 45.55. 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 student to the Olympic 1,600-metre relay squad.
Running plan
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 plans to compete in Beijing at the September 6-17 Paralympic Games. "If I still make the qualifying time for those, the door will still be open in the Olympics," he said.
Pistorius said he will be running in both able-bodied and Paralympic events before Beijing.
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