I'm sorry, but if he wins then I cant help feeling that Britain cheated.
This is a very poor PC decision.

Phill Barlow, The Wirral, England

Bravo !

Jim Wills, Brisbane, Australia

What a lot of fuss! If it turns out to be a bad decision they can change their minds.

Steve, Huddersfield, Yorkshire

Oscar has worked hard 2 b able 2 run in the Olympics. He doesn't think of himself as disabled because he has been like it since he was 11 months old. He has done a lot of sport & has found ways of adjusting if he is unable 2 do the sport, he has found a way. Good luck Oscar.
You deserve it!

caron, borehamwood, herts

It is obvious from the advantage he gains running and the fact that he has not run a qualifying time that he is not a very good runner -if he had normal legs he would be way behind thousands of normal runners.

Yet he is given a huge advantage contrary to scientific experiment. Just like drugs...

Andrew, Cambridge,

I am amazed at this decision, how can a disabled person be allowed to run against able bodied athletes, would it be fair in reverse, if you use drugs to enhance your performance you are banned, if you use artificial aids you are allowed to compete.

David Whitefoot, Oxford, uk

Good luck to the guy. Well done for not giving up in his battles against disability, prejudice and small mindedness. They'll be complaining about Natalie Du Toit next as she doesnt have the weight of two legs holding her back!

glen, Oxford, UK

What is your preception? Would it be more entertaining for the masses if he was appearing on Jerry Springer waiting in his bedroom for the crane to lift him out of his house because he ate himself into oblivion over his self pity? Does he have an unfair advantage? Perhaps, but what inspiration!

Violet Mess-Hechter, west palm beach, usa

For everybody who does not understand sprinting, the fastest 100 metres is run by the person who slows down the least during the last 60 metres.

So who do you think is going to slow down the least during the last 360 metres?

Mike, Pittsburgh, USA

This story keeps reminding me of the Sci Fi I read for years. Phil Dick would love this!

Lorna, Oklahoma City,

It takes legitimate athletes more than 4 years to develop into Olympic caliber athletes. Rugby and tennis do not qualify or carry over to a serious track athlete. His passion and accomplishments will carry over well to professional speaking; this blatant attempt at self promotion will not.

Mike, Pittsburgh, USA

Has anyone even checked that heis legs are the same length as they used to be ? .... and I thought you had to make the qualifyingtime ??

JVS, london,

I grew to only 5' 6" which prevents me from running in the olympics. Shouldn't I also be allowed to "overcome" this handicap by mechanical means?
This is not fair in any way conceivable. Does this guy walk around all day with these springs or does he only wear them when running?

G T, Tampa, FL,

So the question is....what if he manages to reach the qualifying time by some company providing him with better and more efficient legs...and not thru training. What if he improves his time in a day because of better legs? What will we say then? Will it still be okay?

Chris, Houston, usa

He doesn't think those giant springs on the bottom of his legs give him any kind of advantage?

RT, Adams,

I think in a few months we'll be looking bck and noticing that these arguments are actually futile. He isn't quick enough to make the B qualifying time, and he isn't going to improve that rapidly, no matter how high the incentive. Look at him, he hasn't got the physique of an olympic athlete.

Ben Sharples, Guildford,

I'm astounded people here don't seem to think there is a mechanical advantage, any engineer would realize this. Instead we somehow decide with our hearts that there is no advantage and wrap ourselves up with the warm feelings we got from helping the disabled.

Mark, San Francisco, USA

Good on him I hope he does well. With the determination he has shown so far, he is already a champion

J Morris, Birmingham, England

Something is not right here. Fear of offending and political correctness seem to be the rule of the day. He has both psychological and physical advantage. If he wins there will be an outcry.

Ray, Waynesville, NC, USA

Paul Sulivan said "I'm pretty sure you can't create energy other than which he has created (or I'm off to make my riches from a perpetual motion machine)..."

I guess bicyclists should be allowed to compete in the running events with their bicycles since "you can't create energy".

G T, Tampa, FL,

Are you all crazy? This man has no legs, and you whine about him having an advantage?This seems to be about personal courage and fortitude.Hats off to him.

kim strauss, bass harbor me, usa

let them all run . The fastest is the fastest.

V.Arums, Kalamazoo, USA

A perfect example of the victory of qualitative over quantitative thinking. No one with any engineering insight could agree with this decision, which can only be explained by sympathy for the disabled. What's the fundamental difference between prosthetic legs and a bicycle? None.

Tom Welsh, Basingstoke,

The picture in the Times today shows Oscar strapping on the blades, with his 'regular', prosthetic legs lying on the ground beside him.

If the blades don't offer an advantage, why isn't he using his normal 'legs'?

Richard, Warrington, UK

Whilst I would like to see him race against fully able-bodied athletes to see what happens, it is clear he has an advantage. His blades are light compared to real legs, and considering the main power for running comes from the upper legs, his advantage is blatant!

Neil Taylor, Saltash, Cornwall

The only issue is some people are willing to do anything to win at sports. With this rule overturned people may end up using amputation as a new form of steroids. As crazy as that sounds who would have thought someone would be willing to take cancerous steroids to hit a ball farther.

Jared Lorz, portland, or

Give Pistorius blades that have been weighted and damped to resemble, as closely as possible, real legs, and then see how far he is from qualifying.

One of the things I dislike most about this decision is the message it sends to other Paralympians, that their achievements are somehow secondary.

Gemma, Leighton Buzzard, UK

Absolutely ridiculous - political correctness gone into overdrive. How can they argue it is a level playing field when one of the participants is incapable of tearing an achilles or a calf muscle (common enough in sprinting) ?

Steven, Watford,

what happens when technology makes it possible for athletes with this kind of prosthetics to perform at a higher level than able bodies athletes? are people going to have to cut their limbs off in order to compete? it's will be like having a guy on a forklift competing in a weightlifting event.

rudy, london,

I think its very cool and am very happy for him. One day robot olympic competitors will hail him as their forerunner (no pun intended).

Jarles, The Lodge, USA

Mark, Dallas:

I'm pretty sure you can't create energy other than which he has created (or I'm off to make my riches from a perpetual motion machine)... And hey while we're on the subject of mechanical performance enhancers lets ban trainers and lycra pants...

Paul Sullivan, Chester, Cheshire

“The prosthetics return 90 per cent of the impact energy compared to the 60 per cent of the human foot.”

A 50% increase in impact energy is "trivial"? I admire what the man has accomplished but these prosthetics more than equal the playing field.

Will the allow shoes that do the same?

Russ, Tulsa,

I was born, sadly, without the long legs and fast-twitch muscles necessary for a try at Olympic Gold. Thankfully, this ruling allows me to qualify for the 2012 Olympics with my Rocket Pack! Justice truly has been done.

Aaron, Washington, DC,

The IAAF need to consider the precedent that has been set. While the prosthetic limb of today may leave the athlete at a disadvantage, the limb of tomorrow may not.

Unaided, the human body can evolve only slowly. Through science we can makes leaps we would never have thought possible.

David, London,

The number of poisonous, shallow and embittered remarks shown here from those lucky enough not to suffer disability is disappointing. Even if the tables have turned - get over it !

Drew, London, U.K.

We have a phony whiny politician created by the Press lying to us whom so many idiots consider an inspriration. Now THIS man is an inspiration!

Pam, Washington, USA

I disagree with the above comments. The difficulty in overcoming his handicap more than compensates for any percieved advantage that the prostetics may privide. I wonder if anyone can visualize themselves even trying to walk under those circumstances.

Nelson, Durham NC, USA

CONGRATULATIONS OZ!!!!
You stuck it out so long and now you've made it! I'm so happy for you!

Kells

Kelly, Settlers, South Africa

I'm glad most people think this plane bonkers. Saw off my legs and called me 'Michael Johnson gone bionic' but how can it be running if you don't have legs to do it with. Next all the atheletes will be getting shoes with 'added' spring to help them and how does that improve things?

duncan, wokingham,

What the hell is wrong with you people!! Some of these comments are cruel and sick!!! Those who wrote them should be ashamed of themselves!!!! I say he is an inspiration!! Good for him!!!

Chuck, S.F., U.S.A.

Ok let me get this straight...enhancements with drugs, bad...mechanical enhancements, good.

The Olympic committee have lost their collective minds. As the technology improves and these athletes get better performance, then what happens? Bad precedent.

Next...Sudan gets to host an Olympics

mikmor, eastcoast , USA

Professional and bionic athletes can compete in the 5-Ring Circus but women ski jumpers cannot. Drug scandals abound. The Olympics are now a travesty of pure sport. Were it not for the lucrative TV broadcast contracts, the Olympics would wither away from public indifference. Does anyone care?

G. Plant, Honolulu HI, USA

Let's say, as is inevitable, that the "Flex-Foot" technology improves over the next 20 years and now only double amputees can even make the qualifying times. Are we going to then throw an alternative "Whole Body" Olympics? Would the decision have been the same if he ran a 40 second 400?

Chris, Spokane, WA, USA

Robb from K.C., you're right on the money.

Those of you who "support" this decision are, um, how should I put this so as not to offend your delicate PC sensitivities...handicapablychallenged in your own sweet ways.

I won't watch the Olympics. This is taking "accommodating" to an absurd level

Steve Austin, LiverStool, Eng.

What a joke, the evidence shows that the artificial limbs are far more efficient. So Dwain Chambers can't compete because he used to take drugs, but Oscar Pistorius can although he's basically got a mechanical advantage; this makes a mockery of the whole point of the event.

Brett Ducker, Harrogate, England

I have seen the research on these prosthetics. He has a definite biomechanical advantage over the field in a number of areas.

angie, Frederick, USA

An inspired decision that will generate massive interest in the Olympics and bionics in the short term. Only if and when records are really threatened will action have to be taken to disallow it - otherwise the spectacle of bionic man beats normal man will become boring.

Steve Bush, Cirencester, UK

Any "advantage" - which may be proved or not, must surely be balanced against the very clear disadvantage of having no feet etc. I was getting conviced by "science" until I saw him running - he doesn't advantaged. The Olympic ideal is of Mans Greatest Achievements - surely this MUST be encouraged.

greg roberts, York,

I'd like to see the study they did.

If he recieves a performance boost, he doesn't run.

If he does not recieve a performance boost, he does run.

Inspirational either way.

Eric, overland park, USA

I would bet the IAAF dread the controvesy that would erupt if this athelete ever wins a medal, but at least they have done their bit to cover themselves on equality laws.
I long for the faith olympics, what fun to see the different dress and prayer, of competitors.

wayne, huntingdon, cambridgeshire

Bring on the arms-race (forgive the pun) of prosthetics giving mechanical advantage to amputees. This is a dark day, indeed, for "fully intact" athletes.

Joe, indy, USA

A great day for him and why not, the problems will come if he makes a clean sweep of all the events he enters, what then?

Philip Jowett, Swadlincote, Derbyshire

Isn't it within the Olympic spirit to celebrate his journey? For a man born without a fibula to now have a chance to compete in a running event is amazing. It is not just science that put him there, it is will. To put this in a category of steroids or pogo sticks is naive. GO OSCAR!

KC, Petaluma, USA

So, never having the risk of having toe,ankle, heel, ligament, tendon, calf, cartilege or knee injury whilst being guaranteed an unregulated spring in your step doesn't give an advantage ? I guess losing those races has worked for this chap....... dear dear atheltics.... aren't you in enough mire ?

JVS, LONDON, UK

He has not even made the qualifying time for the olympics. His acheivement is amazing and anyone who cant see it is displaying the shortshighted bigotry that holds back sport. It is interesting that those who criticise pistorius do not call for the banning of the new streamlined swimsuit.

Rory, Dublin,

Ah yes. If liberalism and political correctness doesn't know when to stop, now we have a bionic man of sorts running in the Olympics. Wil you idiots get over yourselves and realize that this is NOT equality?

Mike, Dallas, TX, USA

My God you people are pathetic. The man runs without legs for crying out loud. So, yes, feel free to enter the paralympics. Right after you amputate both legs below the knee and learn how to walk, then run with these "advantageous" carbon legs. Your comments are disgusting.

Matt, Fort Collins,

They tested him against a full bodied athlete where they were able to prove that the blades didnt give him any extra energy and it was his upper legs doing the work. Yes it can be argued that the blades add a spring which the able bodied athletes dont have but they dont have all the pain&sores.

Cacia, Manchester/Johannesburg, UK/S.A

Great for Oscar!!!
It just goes to show that with a lot of perseverance & patience one can reach one´s goals.
That´s what I think this all should be about & not this petty argument about advantages:
Is anybody really trying to tell me that he´s going to threaten the likes of Asafa Powell & co?

Caroline, Frankfurt, Germany

People who say he has an unfair advantage:

Do you realize how many muscles this man is missing? Muscles actually introduce energy into the running equation - spring legs only convert energy generated by muscles. There is no way this can be an advantage because he simply has less power to start with

Ben, Rochester, USA

This man has an unfair advantage over all other competetors, and he should not be able to compete. This was proven in the experiment.

NKELLY, Cleveland, United States

To overcome disability is greater than athletics or the Olympics. Go Oscar go! Go Natalie go!

Jake, Dumfries, UK

To Gary in Rice Lake - he does, infact, have an advantage. 1) He's not carrying the weight of extra legs that someone else would and 2) He's using less energy, which means he doesn't tire as quickly. This doesn't mean that we 'hate' him, as you insist. We just want a fair race for other runners.

Dave, Amman,

For all we know Mr Pistorios is actually a marginally good athlete and these springs on his legs let him compete at a level that he otherwise would not be able to obtain. What happens when somebody who is truly a remarkable athlete comes along, straps these things on, and smashes all the records?

Jeff, San Diego, USA

Sorry but I chose a career in Rehabilitation Technology & I have to say he does in fact have an unfair advantage. I think it’s great that he is able to compete BUT if he reaches an Olympic benchmark to compete it will be because of this wonderful technology and would not be fair to the other runners

Michael, USA,

As an engineer, I can say this is totally unfair. What has not been brought up is the fact that he doesn't have the MASS and weight of human legs to move back an forth. A human's leg weight should be calculated based on his size and weight, and that weight should be added to the carbon fiber legs.

Jeremy Dixon, Tucson, AZ

too many comments to read through... I'm just suprised at the hate I read into the first 20-30 I did read. The diabled guy wants to compte with regular athetes... and he has an advantage?

Obvioulsy some pannel looked into such "advantage" and deemed he didn't have it. So get over it.

Gary Venema, Rice Lake, USA

Sorry, but they have made the wrong decision. You just cannot compare a human foot to a mechanical or artificial foot. It is not the same and only natural attributes should be in the competition.
Having said that, I think he should be allowed into exibition matches and be cheered and congratulated

Trina, Los Angeles, , USA

That's great news. Oscar is going to be a great incentive for young and old alike. Even though I am bald-headed my hat is off to Oscar and I hope he takes home the gold.

Joseph Bergkamp, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Let this man run. My legs contain muscles, springy tendons and shock absorbing joints, so why do we feel that this athletes mechanical legs need to be rigid? Athletics exists so as to inspire us. A truly great athlete is always inspirational- one overcoming adversity even more so.

niki b, edinburgh,

This technology is like running on springs. Eventually they will improve it so that a man or woman will be able to bound past the competition like a kangaroo. It's NOTHING against this great athlete with great spirit and determination etc. but no matter how you look at it, it's apples and oranges.

Jeddy, Main St., USA

I do not think he should be allowed to compete in the olympics against 'able-bodied' people. Those who say it's no different than having the best running shoes use poor logic. Any of those athletes can get 'the best shoes' but they can't all get special lightweight bouncy legs.

jeremy, birmingham, usa

If by some miracle he runs the qualifying time, he will lose his heat easily and be just another runner. I admire his grit, but isn't it really about publicity?.

wbj, san francisco, usa

<<Each amputee is different; one shoe doesn't fit all. >>

But do you have a specially made device that is made for enhanced performance?

Susan, OKC, USA

So everyone should be able to be in the Olympics? I have no legs and I should be able to run with the fastest men on earth? Believe it or not, the world is not politically correct, and there are those of whom cannot run as fast as the 99.9 percent of the world. We should all file suit. HA.

steve leebel, lewisville , United States

Maybe more runners will have their legs cut off so they can have the same "advantage"!

jlkahn, Lima, USA

On behalf of all Americans who can spell (amazing that they exist, I know) I apologize for Frob1's comments. Apparently, this story isn't the only thing that is "ridiculous"....

Sadie Vaughn, Mayfair, London, UK

Runner's World gave a great comparison between the carbon fiber blades and the human skeleton and muscles. The blades do give a runner an edge in push off and the amount of time the runner is actually in contact with the ground. There is some advantage. He should not be there.

tsswrap, Hermitage, usa

Each amputee is different; one shoe doesn't fit all.
Having a spring left foot, I can assure you (at least in my case) that I have little advantage walking up a set of stairs, because there are other pressure points on one's stump and leg which bears the stress of the prosthesis.

DMahar, East Hampton, USA

The Olympics doesn't ban an athlete who has a knee replacement, so why should they disqualify this athlete?

OTOH, equipment which does add to (or subtract from) the final time makes the finishing time something more than a human-only achievement, and is an option which other racers don't have.

Jil, Cagayan De Oro, Philippines

no denying the kid works as hard as any of the other athletes, but when he runs, its like he's an astronaut bouncing on the moon

bo, sulfur city, USA

Congratulations to Oscar!!!
This just goes to show that with a lot of perseverance and patience one can reach one´s goals!

Caroline, Frankfurt, Germany

This guy needs to accept his disability and move on! Next we'll have an armless person competing in the Shot-Put.

Pappione, St Paul, MN, USA

I think he is hot and therefore the right decision has been made.

Patrick , London, UK

I have flat feet. Can I compete on Roller Skates?

John, Folsom, USA

His prosthetic limbs don't tire. They don't cramp up. He doesn't even have to exercise and condition them. How is that not an advantage over other athletes?

Larry, Seattle, WA, USA

Oscar is not only an inspiration to the disabled, but he also a hero to me - a perfectly abled bodied person... I have learned from him that tenacity and hard work can make the seemingly impossible possible.

Edward , Ann Arbor, United States

People who have no expericence with amputees are posting their opinions out of inexperience and ignorance. My husband lost his leg due to an accident and a prosthetic, as has been scientifically proven, takes more energy to manipulate and wear than one's own natural leg. Get educated.

Kim, Newbury Park, USA

People focusing on the determination of Pistorious (that we all praise) miss the point. No special aid could make a game FAIR. I am a swimmer and my feet are smaller than the average. Do I get a pass with a pair of fins? About assitance with crane for a weighlifting event?

Jaime Alvarez, McLean VA, USA

So, no to steroids, yes to professional atheletes, yes to springs on your feet (or, instead of your feet), yes to having the Games in a dictatorship that practices forced labor on its citizens...what have I left out?

Skip Binkwick, New York, USA

I admire this mans spirit, and it is heart warming that he has finally realised his dream of competing in the olympics. However, this is a dangerous and silly precedent. In future, can we expect to see disabled people driving racing cars for 100m sprints etc at the olympics?

Shane, Wellington, New Zealand

Im neutral on this issue because it just gave me a glance into the future and I think I'll be going to law school soon because my services will be needed very soon Imagine this robot vs human discrimation nice! please add biotechnology to your investments...coming to home near sooner than expectd

kadeelac, LA, US

Well done Oscar--give them a run for their money.

cully, Eugene Oregon, USA

sounds like the Olympics wants a "feel good" story. Why is being in the paralympics not enough?

logan, sa,

Does this mean we scrap the paralympics? What's the point of them if athletes like Pistroius can compete in the real thing?

Peter, London,

nice sunglasses....

Jerome, Regina, Canada

To all those who think he should be allowed to compete.

Would you permit his entry in the high jump?

Diogenes, Bromley, UK

It's perfectly simple: do the blades replace the legs he lost and give him no advantage over nature, or do they give him an advantage over natural legs. because if that's the case athletes will be unable to compete unless they have their legs cut off and use blades and that a lot worse than steroids

Thalia, London,

I dont see the problem. Why is this any different than athletes wearing the top of the line nike shoe in these same races.
If you were to trade shoes with these runners (assuming you wore the same size shoe) their times would drop significantly [a few seconds makes a huge difference in these races]

Phil K, Berkeley, CA,

As far as I know there has been extensive tests done both by the athlete and the governing body of athletics to determine if the prosthetics gives him an advantage----it seems that they have decided that it doesn't ! So all of the best Oscar, thanks for showing us how special the human spirit is !

PJ van der Walt, Durban, South Africa

Why not just let him compete with a rocket propeled wheel chair....?

Dk, Milwaukee, USA

This is an ABSOULTE joke. NO WAY he should be allowed to compete. Have you seen the tape of him running? HUGE mech advantage & much less weight than unaided athletes. I took 3rd in the World Championships in lifting & this is like me lifting with bionic arms. IOC against drugs but for bionics?

John D. Villarreal, San Francisco, USA

How is this any different than a better shoe. You think the runners on the track are using $40 generic brands, no, they have specially designed ones. Until everyone is running barefoot I have no problem with it

Phil Kalisman, California,

The incredibly crass and insensitive people posting here obviously have no experience of amputation and the huge difficulties it presents. My mum lost her leg five years ago and it has been a huge struggle for her just to get back to walking normally. The idea that he has an advantage is laughable.

hatty , London, UK

The Olympics have become a complete farce.
Can we expect all manner or devices and performance enhancers now? Monty Python should be a sponsor it.

Jenny Taylor, Barnet, HERTS.,

It's rough, because where do you draw the line on what's unfair? Does someone gain an advantage having nikes on vs. addidas? Does someone gain an advantage by having mechanical legs, or is that still a disadvantage.

David C, Aurora, CO, USA

I absolutely agree that if he gets to compete in the regular Games, then the able-bodied should be able to compete in the Paralympics. Fair is fair. Political correctness has gotten out of control.

Eric, Park City, USA

My question is this: Will able-bodied athletes be allowed to compete with carbon-fibre blades?

Nelly , Toronto, Canada

It seems like a pretty arcane distinction that only a serious physics examination could truly clarify. All this aritcle says is that the notionof any advantage from the prosthetics was "rejected" by the court. "Rejected" based on what????? A scientific study? Their own desire to see him compete?

Jim C., Philadelpia, USA

Tothose thatsay "this can't possibly be cheating"--what are you baisng that on??? Can you not imagine that the legs are extra-lightweight and/or springy, etc?

Jim C., Philadelpia, USA

legend from saintlous, are you serious? the whole thing is to get someone who's underprivileged and punching above their weight to compete against people who in theory should be better than them. to do it the other way would be ridiculous

James Crozier, Fairstead, United Kingdom

Several people flippantly invite athletes to amputate limbs if they think this is an advantage. Has it occurred to no-one that there are unscrupulous countries out there who might forcibly do just that to their athletes?

Gemma, Leighton Buzzard, UK

This guy is amazing, and to be admired by all as an example of the human spirit. Nonetheless his high-tech legs clearly constitute a mechanical aid of unknown and probably unmeasurable advantage, and for that reason I don't think he should be allowed to compete for an Olympic medal.

Jeff in Phoenix, Chandler, USA

My question now is this: Will able-bodied athletes be allowed to compete in the Paralympics? Ahh, it should work both ways...Don't you think???

legend, SAINTLOUS,

I'm sorry, but I think the powers that be have changed their decision on this as they are secretly confident that this guy won't set a qualifying time, and so there won't be any issues, as he won't end up competing anyway.

Lois Cleary, Hemel Hempstead, UK

Thin end of the wedge, I'm afraid - whatever will be next?

Malcolm, Bragg Creek, Alberta, Canada

I have to agree with most of the comments- wonderful spirit and I wish the man all the best, but as a rule I can't see how letting people run with mechanical legs is fair to the other athletes.

Andy, London,

The resolution to the issue is in the hands of the non-mechanically enhanced runners - If they stick together and refuse to compete a long side him the already troubled Olympics will have no choice but to reverse their absurd decision.

Paul, Pittsburgh, PA

Oscar is an inspiration. I hope he does really well. Good luck!

Corina, Manchester, UK

He's probably 40 meters away from being competitve at the olympic level. He hasn't even achieved the qualifying time! In my opinion his competitive spirit is inspirational, however, his performance is not worthy of setting a precedent at this time. Keep running though, I'll watch!

James, San Diego, USA

Has anyone else noticed this guy is conspicuously heavy for a 400m runner? He looks like about 12-15% body fat. That's about twice as much as almost every other international level runner, at that distance. He's visibly not in the same shape as his competition. To me, that implies an advantage.

Robert, Santa Barbara, USA

To everybody who objects: you sound no different from when women were prohibited from running the marathon, or the reasoning behind eugenics. Oscar is advancing the debate about what disability is. The worst disability is losing your humanity, as some of you have.

Jake, Dumfries, UK

This opens such a can of worms. Who is going to define "handicapped?" what about mental or emotional handicaps? Will emotional drugs or brian stimulation devices be allowed if, and only if, some doctor qualifies you as handicapped in that area? Then, of course, here come the judges and the lawyers.

Bill, Los Angeles, USA

the fact is, he's going into the race with different hardware than the others. Whether or not he has an advantage shouldn't be the nomenclature, they should be saying whether or not what he's using to run is close enough to compare apples to apples making it a fair race (for ALL parties involved).

Daniel Finnegan, New York, USA

the fact is, he's going into the race with different hardware than the others. Whether or not he has an advantage shouldn't be the nomenclature, they should be saying whether or not what he's using to run is close enough to compare apples to apples making it a fair race (for ALL parties involved).

Daniel Finnegan, New York, USA

Natalie du Toit does not use any artificial aid to substitute for her missing leg and she has qualified on time. Why so little publicity?

Diana, Derby, uk

Does this mean that I, an abled bodied man, can now compete in the special olympics? It is only fair.

Josh Worth, Edinburgh, UK

First, I cannot believe anyone is upset that this guy has been cleared for this. If you had any experience with people who have disabilities including missing limbs you would understand the profound disadvantage he still faces even with the blades. This man IS working harder than the typical athlete

michele williams, orange, usa

fair play to the guy ... but it's hardly a judge of athleticism if you've got a mechanical aid and other competitors don't (why isn't this guy in the paralympics?)

joe, london,

Fine but surely now he can not expect to also compete in the Paralympics!

Ken, Neston,

This is pretty crazy. I appreciate the guys competetive spirit and I wish him well, however I don't believe this is a good idea. Like Alex said, what happens when this technology advances, as we know it will. Maybe for now it is fine, but in the future they will need to have separate races.

Brian, San Diego, USA

its sad, but i gotta agree with most people here. He should not be allowed to compete. He obviously has alot of determination, but he is not able bodied. End of?

dave, preston,

So when has sports been fair, with massive use of steraoids to gain a competative advantage. This guy by sprit alone aims to compete in the games which values the spirit of human community. He in my mind is a hero, not limited by his disability and should be respected for this achievement.

Gareth Jenkins, Pwllheli , UK

Sounds like the IAAF didn't have a leg to stand on.

Sarah, London,

Regardless of whether this ruling is "fair" or not (history will probably say otherwise), I applaud the IAAF's decision. The worldwide attention raised by this issue will be great for the sport, the science, and all athletes who compete with disabilities everyday.

GB, Brooklyn, USA

Just ridiculous! You can't go to great lengths to eliminate any chemical advantage and then sanction a distinct mechanical advantage. Sport needs to have a level playing field or it is rendered meaningless.

Gemma, Leighton Buzzard, UK

Less energy loss, less vertical motion, less fatigue....read it and then decide if he has an advantage or not.

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-243-297--12492-0,00.html

Pat, Phoenix, US

Bravo for his effort however the Olympics is the meeting of the best world athletes who compete with what they have, sans additives. Sorry about this fellows handicap but that's life. Are Para olympians less accomplished than Olympians? I think not. Apples to Oranges

M. Christensen, J ville, USA

I hear runners around the world are cutting their legs off in order to compete with the amputees

Nate, santana, usa

16th may 2008. The world has officially gone crazy!!!

Neil, Birmingham, U.K

What you people are overlooking is that although the prosthetic limbs may give him some sort of an adavantage there are so many disadvantages that he has had to overcome in his life that many of us can't even imagine.

Alex, Sacramento, USA

"If the makers of the Flex-Foot improve it and he is able to run faster how can that possibly be fair?"

If it proves to be an advantage, the rule making organizations can specify the blades used. And other athletes always have the option of having their legs amputated and using the Cheetahs. :-)

John, La Habra, USA

Chill out! His record is a full second off the QUALIFYING time! If the device gives him no advantage then what is the big deal? It should be easy enough to test, strap one on another athlete and see if it improves his time. Exult in his achievements, he has earned it.

Shinea, San Jose, USA

Leg, ankle, and feet muscles get tired and bones can get hurt.. So in what way is running on metal equal? Emotionally I think this is marvellous, but common sense says this is in no way equal. Makes a farce out of the competition.

Nona, New York City, USA

If this does prove to be an advantage, will it mean that we will have people like Duane Chambers making modifcations to their own physical make up for competitive advantage.

Malcolm Alexander, London,

Who cares? The Olympics are a farce anyhow! the Olympics are so commercialized and corrupt they probably got a kick back from the manufacture of the artificial limbs in order to allow them to be used. If you think the Olympics are all about the spirit of competition of atheletes, you need therapy

Jack Simmons, Slough, UK

Absurd decision..... Can an able bodied athlete use the blades attached to their calves too? What about able bodied entering wheelchair races?

How about my kid using his pogo stick for the high jump?

What about a little anaebolic steriod to help overcome limited muscle growth?

Clive, London,

Well done Oscar, pure courage and inspiration! Here is a man who has dreamed of being better - and has got there. Better than most of us have done who sit behind a computer screen and pass judgement!

Congratulations to another South african amputee - Natalie Du Toit for qualifying for Beijing!

Ross, London,

Unfortunately this was not a good decision for many told and untold reasons now and in the future. It is not a matter of fairness or emotion. Once you really think about the ramifications you will no doubt agree.

Frank, Centerport, USA

Great for Oscar!!!
It just goes to show that with a lot of perseverance and patience one can reach one´s goals.
That´s what this all should be about & not this petty argument about advantages:
I´d love him to be, but is anybody really trying to tell me that he´s a threat to Asafa Powell & co?

Caroline, Frankfurt, Germany

This decision is absurd. Eventually prosthetics will provide a competitive advantage over natural limbs. Then what? Athletes amputating limbs to be competitive? I admire his tenacity, but there is appropriate Paralympics competition for him to compete in.

Wallis Lafayette, Cary, USA

Although I greatly admire him and recognize that he's a gifted athlete, I believe the decision to allow him to compete was political. What if they come out with a new version of the Cheetahs next year and he's suddenly winning by two seconds every time? Then they will ban them?

Gary, Asheville,

cheating?????????he doesn't have any legs and he can still run that fast.....

the small-mindedness of some people astounds me - the guy is an inspiration to anyone - not just the disabled.......

what is wrong with people?

aaron, lowestoft,

Until the able bodied start hacking off their limbs to get these, I won't believe that they give him an advantage.

See U at the 2012 Cyberlympics

matt, Denver, USA

Has anyone studied to see the advantages a whole bodied runner has over this man, there must be an advantage in the speed of the neurotransmitters in your brain effectively working with your legs versus the delay your neurotransmitters would hit at the end of an amputated leg? Let him run!!!

Annie, Suwanee,

If this mechanism to run were truly an advantage, then why don't able-bodied athletes hungry for glory cut off their legs and use it too. Since we don't see that happening, it's not really an advantage, is it?

Tim, Palo Alto, CA

Handicapped people should be barred from competing in the olympics, the events are for able bodied individuals only!!!

John Kuhn, Summit, NJ

Are you Kidding me, this guy only has half his normal legs! You think this is cheating, you must be idiots... There is no way that his body does not have to work harder than a complete human body to power him down the track a the kind of speeds he will need to be capable of to qualify.

Jim, Ft. Smith,

So what happens if he wins a gold medal? I doubt anyone running against him would think they'd been beaten fairly.

This is a daft decision that will make athletics a total joke when the 'blade' technology improves to the point where he's setting new world records.

Alex, London,

Um, this is cheating. This guy's heart does not have to supply blood to his lower legs therefore his heart will not have to work as hard. His lower legs will not fatigue like an able bodied runner and his high tech prosthetics store and release eneregy much more efficiently than normal legs.

Robb, Kansas City, USA

As long as the prosthetic limb acts like a normal leg then I think it's great.

Chris, Memphis, U.S.

He is not an able bodied athlete and as suck gives two fingers to other paraolympians. Secondly, it is technology that has brought him to his level of sporting acheievement and it will be technology that allows him to possibly overtake able bodied athletes. It cheapens true athletes

Philip, London,

I guess this will mean able-bodied athletes will also be able to use the blades as well after all if a disabled athlete is allowed to use this device then any athlete can use it.

Stephen, St. Ives, England

This sets a dangerous precedent. How can he possibly compete on a level playing field with limbed athletes? If the makers of the Flex-Foot improve it and he is able to run faster how can that possibly be fair? Much as I admire him I think this ruling is ridiculous.

Tony, Bristol, England

Congratulations!!!! The Olymics are meant to be a celebration and this young man's story is tremendously uplifting, win or lose, Oscar is an inspiration and the IAAF clearly has a heart!

Robert Arthur, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, USA

Think he deserves to celebrate and get absolutely legless

Kevin Chong, Cork, Ireland

Mark, cut your legs off and donate them to someone who will appreciate them. Then get your motorcycle and learn to balance. At that time, feel free to enter into the olympics. I'd back you 100%.

al, cleveland, oh, usa

This is great Mark, opens the door to me to compete in the shotput with my canon...but seriously good on him

mike, london,

I'm going to wear stilts.

I reckon if I get a long enough pair I'll be able to make the 100m in 2 strides, so will clear the line in 5 seconds tops.

Unless it's windy of course!

Eric M, Scarborough home of athletics,

All well and good. Now accept that any body modification is legal. Including performance enhancing drugs. Plain old vanilla genetics is an unfair advantage some athletes have over others. Just because you think the poor amputee deserves a break does not mean you are right because your heart says

Fred X, Phoenix, USA Arizona

Mark, Other athletes are fee to amputate their legs and use prosthetic limbs, too, if they think he has an unfair advantage.

Anne, St. Louis,

God bless this young athlete. He should be encoraged to persue all he is capable of. I just have a question...and God help me for being inquzitive. When a handicap is overcome by mechanical devises for "whole body" competitions, which handicaps will be allowed or won't be, which devices? Any limits?

Robert Sciolino, Cape Coral, Fl., United States

Nothing against this man and admirable accomplishments, but why change the rules for one man. What if he were a swimmer? Should he be allowed to use flippers? If his legs give him no advantage, it would stand to reason that someone with two legs should be allowed to go to the paraolympics.

Stew, Raleigh, NC

Don't want to take anything away from the man, I admire his spirit and am awed by his courage. But his 'blades' do weigh much less than legs - is that not an unfair advantage?

Frank, Burgaw, NC

That means I can enter the Paralympics now right??? As long as I can meat the Qualifying times, correct??? This is rediculous. This man should not be allowed in. He is handicapped and if it were not for his technolegs he wouldnt even be in the event. Can I wear an exo-suit ala Iron man????

Frob1, Otsego, Michigan, USA

I found the decision absurd anyway. How can a double amputee have an advantage over able bodied professional athletes unless he has a combustion engine propelling him.
He is a clean athlete who works hard and could help restore some credibility to a sport that has completely lost its way.

darren, london,

Can a person with asthma be allowed to uses oxygen enhancing drugs in a marathon? Why not? Who decides? Where is the test that shows everything is equal? How about motors? A spring is a simple motor by the way. Who makes the defintions on just who needs help to become "whole"?

Elizabeth Sciolino, Cape Coral, Fl., United States

Why can't able bodied people compete in the wheelchair event??? The whole issue is ridiculously 'politically correct'. This man is handicapped and should not be competing with able bodied athletes. Why not throw out every bloody convention in the book and let people do as they please? What a world!

Kenneth Wheatley, St Pée sur Nivelle, France

Brilliant - this is a great day for athletics. It is about time they acknowledged talent over trivial matters. I hope he has a chance to get a time so he can enter the individual events.

Rachel, York,

This is great, next year I'd like to compete in the relay using a motorcycle. As long as I reach qualifying time it's ok right?

Mark, Dallas, TX, USA

Good for him!!!

elmer, dc, usa