IAAF runs tests on Pistorius' blades

By Paul Carter

Paralympic sprint sensation Oscar Pistorius was last month beginning tests that will finally determine whether he will be allowed to compete in events alongside non-disabled athletes.

As Disability Now went to press, South African Pistorius, 20, was set to begin two days of biometrical analysis at the German Sport University in Cologne, conducted by Professor Peter Bruggeman, an expert in athletics biomechanics, and witnessed by representatives of both the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), and Pistorius.

The IAAF, which is funding the research, wants to determine if Pistorius’ prosthetic carbon-fibre “blades” can be classed as “technical aids” that give him an unfair advantage over non-disabled athletes.

IAAF communications director Nick Davies said  there would be cameras and computers, as well as equipment such as force pads, built into the track to test Pistorius as he races against three non-disabled 400m runners.

He said: “This is because the point of the testing is to see how Oscar compares to able-bodied athletes and establish whether Oscar’s prosthetics are ‘technical aids’ which give him excessive advantage over other athletes who don’t use them. IAAF rules forbid the use of such technical aids in competition.”

Professor Bruggemann will analyse the results and the IAAF expects to receive a report within a month. After that, the IAAF will take a decision on whether Pistorius can compete in non-disabled events, potentially opening the door for others to follow.

In July, Pistorius accused the IAAF of making “unacceptable” and “derogatory” comments about his ongoing battle to compete in non-disabled races.