Amputee sprinter: London more realistic than Beijing

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- Double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius thinks he might have a more realistic chance of qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics than this summer's Beijing Games.

Pistorius returned to South Africa after the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned an IAAF ruling that barred him from competing in the Olympics and other able-bodied events. The court said the 21-year-old's carbon fiber racing blades do not give him an unfair advantage over able-bodied runners.

Pistorius said Monday he will be competing in able-bodied meets to try to qualify for the Aug. 8-24 Beijing Games, but acknowledged it will be difficult to get into the proper shape. He said the London Olympics also are in his plans.

"The last five months have been extremely tiring," Pistorius said, adding that months of prosthetic testing, overseas travel and long conference calls had hampered his training. "But I have the opportunity now, so I might as well grab it with both hands."

Pistorius holds the 400-meter Paralympic world record of 46.56 seconds, but that time is outside the Olympic qualifying standard of 45.55. He acknowledges the chance of shedding a second off his time is slim, and that he is now hoping to qualify for London.

"Realistically speaking ... I have a better chance of qualifying there because I haven't had the chance to train," he said.

Even if Pistorius fails to get the qualifying time this year, South African selectors could add the University of Pretoria student to the Olympic 1,600-meter relay squad.

"That chance still exists," said Peet van Zyl, Pistorius' agent. "But the South Africa team needs to qualify."

Pistorius would not require a qualifying time and could be taken to Beijing as an alternate. Six runners can be picked for the relay squad, which would need to be one of the world's top 16 teams to participate in the Olympics.

Pistorius, smiling broadly, told reporters he'd jump at the chance to join the relay team.

"I'd be extremely happy," he said. "It's always been a dream of mine."

Pistorius will run in five Paralympic races in May and June, van Zyl said. He'll be competing in able-bodied competitions on July 2 in Milan, Italy, on July 11 in Rome, and July 16 in Lucerne, Switzerland. He likely will add one or two more able-bodied races depending on his schedule.

Pistorius was born without fibulas -- the long, thin outer bone between the knee and ankle -- and was 11 months old when his legs were amputated below the knee.

In January, the International Association of Athletics Federations banned Pistorius from competing internationally with able-bodied athletes. The body based its decision on studies by German professor Gert-Peter Brueggemann, who said the runner's J-shaped "Cheetah" blades were energy efficient, and could give Pistorius a possible advantage.

Pistorius' lawyers countered with independent tests conducted by a team led by MIT professor Hugh M. Herr that claimed to show he doesn't gain any advantage over able-bodied runners.

At first, Pistorius said, his court battle was about his own desire to compete with able-bodied athletes, but it eventually became a fight for all amputee athletes eager for the same opportunities.

"It's always been a dream to compete in the Olympics," Pistorius said, "But If I look back at my career and I haven't participated, it will still be a a dream satisfied."