Oscar Pistorius, 20, the double amputee who wants to compete with able-bodied runners in the 400 meters at the Olympics, agreed to work with the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) to ensure his prosthetic legs don’t give him an unfair advantage.
            Pistorius will undergo a full biometrical analysis in October at the German Sport University in Cologne to investigate and define the properties of Oscar’s prosthetic blades. Scientists plan to measure his energy consumption with 400m loads and compare that with data of able-bodied athletes of the same speed. They also plan to measure his running mechanics and compare that with an able-bodied runner using force plates, 3D-kinematics among other tests.
            The IAAF, track and field’s governing body, introduced a rule earlier this year outlawing technical aids, although it allowed Pistorius to continue running while further investigations are carried out.
            Pistorius is quoted on the IAAF Web site as saying: “I am pleased to be working with the IAAF on conducting the appropriate research so that we can jointly come to a fair and educated conclusion. There is much at stake personally and for the future of all amputee athletes and I applaud the IAAF for recognizing that. By aligning experts from prosthetics and biomechanics I believe we will be able to put this issue to rest one way or the other.”
            In April, Pistorius established three new world amputee spring records in 100m, 200m, and 400m at the Nedbank Championships for the Disabled in Germinston, South Africa. His 10.91-second time in the 100m makes him the first T43 amputee to officially break the 11-second mark. He has now smashed World Records that he established since competing in the Paralympic Games in Athens 26 times.
            Pistorius competes in the T43 category for double amputees, but his times qualify him as the fastest amputee in the world.
            His main goal is the Olympics, either in Beijing next year or London in 2012. To reach the 2008 Olympics, Pistorius would have to run the 400 in 46.3 seconds before the July 2008 qualifying deadline. His personal best is 46.56.
            Born without fibulas, Pistorius was only 11 months old when his legs were amputated. Nonetheless, he became a high school sports star competing in rugby, tennis, and water polo. After breaking a knee at 17, he took up track. Just eight months later, he was winning medals at the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games.
            Due to print deadlines, no further updates were available.

Photo courtesy of Ossur Americanas