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Sunday, 15 July 2007, 21:47 GMT 22:47 UK

Angry Pistorius calls for talks

Oscar Pistorius struggles to close the gap on his rivals South African Oscar Pistorius has called on athletics world governing body the IAAF to work with him as he chases a place at the Olympics.

The double amputee sprinter competed in the 400m in Sunday's Norwich Union British Grand Prix in Sheffield.

But he trailed in last behind American Angelo Taylor and was disqualified for running out of his lane.

"The least they could do is give me the chance to fight my fight and work with me and not against me," he said.

"I think there has been a breakdown in communications between myself and the IAAF," the 20-year-old told BBC Sport.

The South African was born without fibulae in both legs due to a congenital condition and runs on carbon fibre curved blades after his legs were amputated below the knee when he was 11 months old.

In March the IAAF introduced a rule banning any runner deemed to benefit from artificial help.

"Oscar is probably going to change the world of Paralympic sport in ways that we never imagined"
Dame Tanni Grey Thompson

They later said Pistorius could compete as they researched whether or not he gains an advantage from his blades and his B race in Friday's Golden Gala meeting in Rome was recorded for further analysis.

"The ban they implemented made me go back to a winter training schedule but then four weeks ago when they lifted it I had to go back to a summer schedule so it has stuffed up my season." he said.

"They haven't contacted me yet, which I think is unacceptable for an federation of their size.

"They have things to rectify and it is their duty to do the necessary testing to clear up this matter."

Pistorius clocked a time of 47.65 seconds in Sheffield before his disqualification, well short of the World Championships qualifying time of 45.95.

Britain's most successful Paralympian Dame Tanni Grey Thompson admits Pistorius' participation at the Olympics could have a damaging impact on the Paralympics.

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She told Five Live's Sportsweek programme: "If I was in his situation would I take the opportunity? Absolutely, yes. It is an amazing chance for him to show the world what he can do.

"Oscar is probably going to change the world of Paralympic sport in ways that we never imagined even two or three years ago.

"But it does throw open a much wider argument about the guys who aren't as good as Oscar about where they fit in the Paralympic movement.

"I'm very pleased that Oscar wants to run the Olympics and the Paralympics but it's whether the Paralympics becomes in his category an event for the guys who are not good enough to make the Olympics.

"It's part of a much, much wider debate."

  • Meanwhile, British discus throwers Sophie Hancock and Bev Jones both reached the Beijing Paralympic qualifying standards over the weekend.

    Hancock, who competes in the F40 category for dwarf athletes, threw 18.41m at the Cerebral Palsy National Championships in Nottingham on Saturday, beating the qualifying distance of 18.25.

    CP athlete Jones, who has also reached the standard in the shot putt, threw a season's best of 26.42m at a special Paralympic event at the Norwich Union British Grand Prix in Sheffield.

    Jones put in a big effort in the last round to pass her qualifying standard of 26.42m while Hancock's best throw on Sunday was 17.70 and visually impaired athlete Claire Williams managed 33.90, short of her target of 35.20.




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    Related to this story:

    Blade Runner's ongoing battle (12 Jul 07 |  Athletics )
    Taylor profits from Wariner slip (15 Jul 07 |  Athletics )
    Pistorius to take on Olympic king (28 Jun 07 |  Disability Sport )
    Pistorius gets IAAF green light (23 Jun 07 |  Disability Sport )
    Amputee athlete aims for Olympics (24 Apr 07 |  Africa )
    Amputee eyes Olympics (05 May 06 |  Disability Sport )
    Olympic dreams of a blade runner (05 May 05 |  Disability Sport )

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