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The International Association of Athletic Federations has ruled that double-amputee sprinter, Oscar Pistarius, will not be allowed to compete in this summer's Olympic games in Beijing because his prosthetics give him an unfair advantage.

The ruling comes after scientific studies determined that Pistarius' Cheetah prosthetics are "technical aids" that give him a clear advantage in a race. According to the science, the prosthetics enable him to run at the same speed as an able-bodied runner, but expend a quarter less energy.




The professor determined that the returned energy from the prosthetic blade is "close to three times higher than with the human ankle joint in maximum sprinting." The IAAF adopted a rule last summer prohibiting "technical aids" deemed to give an athlete an advantage.

Pistarius had his lower legs amputated when he was 11 months old after being born without fibulas. According to this Sports Illustrated article, he has never used the fact that he is an amputee to his advantage, refusing even to park his car in handicapped spaces.

Personally, I can't imagine losing one's legs and using prosthetics could be an unfair advantage in any situation. I think he should be allowed to compete.

What do you think? Unfair advantage or unfair ruling?