For Pistorius, 1,600 relay is now his last hope

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Oscar Pistorius, the double amputee who waged a battle for the right to run in the Olympics, failed today in his final attempt to secure a berth in the 400-meter individual event at the Beijing Olympics.

He could still be selected for South Africa’s 1,600-meter relay team, however.

Pistorius’ attempt to make the Olympic qualifying standard at a meet in Switzerland was 0.70 seconds outside the mark.

But his lawyers were quick to send track’s ruling body, the International Assn. of Athletics Federations, a letter warning it not to influence relay selection.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned a ban on Pistorius, nicknamed ‘Blade Runner’ because of his carbon-fiber prosthetic legs. The IAAF had ruled that Pistorius would not be allowed to compete against able-bodied athletes because the 21-year-old’s J-shaped carbon fiber blades reportedly gave him an unfair advantage.

The CAS, which is the final arbiter, disagreed with the IAAF.

Three days ago, however, IAAF General Secretary Pierre Weiss told Agence France-Presse that Pistorius’ prosthetic limbs could be a ‘risk’ to other runners in the 1,600-meter relay. And that prompted today’s letter from Pistorius’ attorneys.

‘Pistorius has advised the IAAF that he will defend his right to compete without interference against able-bodied athletes through new legal action if the IAAF does not cease violating the CAS decision,’ his lawyers said in an e-mailed statement.

-- Debbie Goffa