Oscar Pistorius - Special Feature
Pistorius is a bilateral amputee world champion sprinter who has broken his own world record 27 times and is the first ever Paralympian to win Gold in each of the 100, 200 and 400 meter-sprints. In January, 2008, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) banned him from competing against able-bodied runners on the grounds that his prostheses give him a technical advantage. Ossur adamantly disagrees.
In May, 2008, Pistorius took his case before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which ruled that the evidence was inconclusive and overturned the IAAF’s findings.
In addition to profiling this remarkable young man and his extraordinary athletic achievements, this feature also aims to provide objective and factual information about his prosthetic feet.
Below you will find links to official statements and news reports concerning Oscar’s bid to compete against able-bodied athletes; the response from the sport’s governing body, the IAAF; and reports of the subsequent ruling by the CAS.
Oscar and the IAAF
Oscar Pistorius had a dream to qualify and participate in the Olympics alongside able-bodied athletes. Initially, that dream was crushed by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) when it banned him from participating on the grounds that his prostheses give him an advantage over able-bodied runners. Later, in response to the world’s outrage, it reconsidered and offered to test Oscar to determine conclusively whether he posed such a threat.
After some testing, which Össur and Pistorius’ team considered incomplete, on January 14, 2008, the IAAF announced its decision to ban him from all its events, including the Olympic Games.
On February 13, 2008, the international law firm Dewey & LeBoeuf initiated an appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on behalf of Oscar Pistorius, challenging the IAAF’s decision.
On May 16, 2008, the CAS made its ruling, concluding that there is insufficient evidence that Pistorius gained any advantage from his prostheses, and overturned the earlier ruling. It marked a significant day in the world of elite athletics – disabled and able-bodied.
The Proccedings
- November 18, 2009
Statement by Össur regarding bilateral amputee Oscar Pistorius’ alleged advantage over able-bodied athletes
- May 16, 2008
The CAS press release stating the ruling (PDF file, opens in a new window)
The IAAF press release (Opens in a new window)
- March 26, 2007
IAAF Council introduces rule regarding “technical aids”
Link opens in a new window.December 14, 2007
Jon Sigurdsson's letter to the IAAF
Mr. Jon Sigurdsson, Össur’s CEO: "the testing which you have commissioned will clearly show that he does not have a technical advantage over able-bodied athletes." - January 11, 2008
Oscar Pistorius' statement in Pretoria, South Africa
"I will not stand down."- January 11, 2008
Össur's statement in support of Oscar
"…any judgment against Mr. Pistorius at this stage and based on insufficient information, would be irresponsible and unfair." - January 14, 2008
IAAF Statement regarding Oscar Pistorius
(opens in a new window) - January 14, 2008
IPC Position Statement on IAAF's Commissioned Research on Oscar Pistorius
(opens in a new window) - February 13, 2008
Dewey & LeBoeuf challenges the IAAF via an appeal on behalf of Oscar Pistorius
(opens in a new window) - April 15, 2008
ESPN documents Oscar‘s road to Appeal....hear what Dr. Bruggeman has to say.
(opens in a new window) Oscar Pistorius
Oscar's story
Born without the fibula in both legs, Pistorius was only 11 months old when his parents made the wrenching decision to have his limbs amputated below the knee. Oscar says he never really knew anything different. As a child he announced to his father that one day he would play in the Super 8 rugby event.
Oscar's achievements in the field
A double amputee, Oscar is the world record holder in his category for the 100, 200 and 400 meters sprints. Even more remarkably, he took the silver medal over 400 meters in the 2007 South African National Championships competing against able-bodied runners.
The Cheetah: Fast Facts
The Flex-Foot Cheetah® is a J-shaped, high performance carbon composite prosthetic sprinting foot, designed to store and release energy in order to mimic the reaction of the anatomical foot/ankle joint of able bodied runners. Read upon the Cheetah in Cheetah Fast Facts. Oscar in the news
Sports Technology Journal: Oscar Pistorius cover story.New York Times: Panel Backs Amputee Sprinter’s Olympic Quest
CNN: 'Blade Runner' wins Olympic appeal
BBC: Pistorius eligible for Olympics
ESPN: CAS says Pistorius can race against able-bodied athletes
The Australian: Oscar Pistorius wins Court of Arbitration for Sport appeal
More Global News Coverage Following the Final Ruling
- The Times Online (March 5, 2008): Tests give Oscar Pistorius reason for optimism
(opens in a new window) - CNN International interview with Oscar Pistorius (video)
(opens in a new window) - Read the New York Times front page article on Oscar Pistorius - January 10, 2008
(opens in a new window) - Read the New York Times article „An Amputee Sprinter: Is He Disabled or Too-Abled?“
(opens in a new window) - Listen to The Final Sprint's podcast on Oscar Pistorius
(opens in a new window) - Read Wired Magazine's story about Oscar Pistorius
(opens in a new window) - Read the Daily Telegraph interview with Oscar Pistorius
(opens in a new window) - Read "Olympic dreams of a blade runner" on the BBC
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Team Össur and Össur
Team Össur
Oscar Pistorius is a member of Team Össur. Team Össur comprises elite international athletes and sporting role models, along with gifted performers and professionals from around the world. About Össur
Össur is in the business of improving people’s mobility. A leading global company in non-invasive orthopaedics, we deliver advanced and innovative technologies within the fields of prosthetics, braces, supports and compression therapy.