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06 July 2008 21:47 BST

Pistorious given Olympic go-ahead

Friday, 16 May 2008 21:01

Pistorious will be given chance to qualify for Beijing

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Double-amputee sprinter Victor Pistorious has been permitted to compete against able-bodied athletes at the 2008 Beijing Olympics following a decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Pistorious will continue his quest to qualify for the 400 metres in China this summer after the CAS overturned a ruling by the International Association of Athletics Federations which prevented the 21-year-old from racing in the games due to his prosthetic racing blades.

In the wake of the news, the elated athlete commented: "I am ecstatic. 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."

Despite being given the green light to gun for an Olympic spot, Pistorious would need to improve on his personal best of 46.56 by over a second to make the qualifying time necessary to run in Beijing.

The South African, born without fibula bones connecting his knees and ankles, was 11-months-old when he was forced to have both legs amputated below the knee.
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Pistorious given Olympic go-ahead

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