Oscar Pistorius, the South African Paralympian world-record holder with eyes on the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, agreed to allow the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) to test his carbon-fiber racing legs. The IAAF said Thursday, July 26, that Pistorius would undergo a "full biometrical analysis" with independent experts at the German Sport University, Cologne, according to the Associated Press (AP).
Pistorius, who owns world records for disabled athletes in the 100m (10.91 seconds), 200m (21.58), and 400m (46.56) dash, competed against elite, able-bodied sprinters July 15 at the Norwich Union Grand Prix in Sheffield, England. But the race was a disappointment, with Pistorius finishing last on a rain-soaked track before being disqualified for running outside his lane. After the race, the IAAF released a statement saying it wanted to investigate whether or not Pistorius' Ossur Cheetah Flex Sprint III carbon fiber legs gave him an unfair advantage. Video analysis showed Pistorius' racing legs provided less air resistance than able-bodied runners, and the way he distributed energy was virtually the opposite. Unlike able-bodied runners, Pistorius was faster at the end of the race instead of the beginning.
Pistorius, along with his scientific advisers, will work with specialist Professor Peter Bruggemann in Cologne over several days of testing, with the data analysis to take around three weeks. The testing won't begin until October, at a date yet to be fixed, according to AP. Pistorius, who had complained earlier this month that he was not getting support from the IAAF, said he was pleased to help conduct the research.
"There is much at stake personally and for the future of all amputee athletes and I applaud the IAAF for recognizing that," Pistorius told AP. "By aligning experts from prosthetics and biomechanics I believe we will be able to put this issue to rest one way or the other."
IAAF President Lamine Diack said he admired Pistorius, but wanted to make sure his prosthetics were analyzed carefully. "We cannot permit technical aids that give one athlete an unfair advantage over another," Diack told AP. "I am very pleased that Oscar has agreed to do this research with Professor Bruggemann, as the results will have very important implications for sports science."
Pistorius, 20, was born without fibulae, and both legs were amputated below the knee before his first birthday. To qualify for the Beijing Olympics, he would have to run a 46.3 before the July 2008 qualifying deadline. His personal best in the 400 is 46.56 seconds.
