Pistorius is ruled ineligible

The IAAF ruled Monday that double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius is ineligible to compete in the Beijing Olympics because his prosthetic racing legs give him a clear competitive advantage.

The International Assn. of Athletics Federations had twice postponed the ruling, but the executive Council said the South African runner’s curved, prosthetic “Cheetah” blades were considered a technical aid in violation of the rules.

“As a result, Oscar Pistorius is ineligible to compete in competitions organized under IAAF rules,” the IAAF said in a statement from Monte Carlo, Monaco.

Pistorius announced last week that he planned to appeal any adverse decision.

Athletics South Africa said it would immediately apply the decision. “That’s a huge blow,” said Pistorius’ manager, Peet Van Zyl. “He has been competing in South African abled-bodied competition for the past three years. At this stage it looks like he is out of any able-bodied event.”

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JURISPRUDENCE

Lawsuit against Dorrance is settled

A decade-old sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a former player against famed North Carolina women’s soccer coach Anson Dorrance has been settled, athletic department officials said. Former player Melissa Jennings, who had accused Dorrance of sexually harassing players, will receive $385,000, mostly for attorney’s fees.

Dorrance had denied harassing his players, but in an apology letter sent 1998 -- the same year the lawsuit was filed -- he acknowledged participating in banter of a “jesting or teasing nature” with players.

Ohio University pitcher Andrew Shisila and former baseball player Brent Decoster were charged with taking bets on professional sports.

The two are accused of running the gambling operation. If convicted, they could get up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Fabio Carlino was convicted in the cocaine death of former Tour de France champion Marco Pantani and sentenced to 4 1/2 years in prison at Rimini, Italy, the Italian news agency ANSA said.

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MISCELLANY

Trade of Rolen for Glaus is finalized

Scott Rolen was traded from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Toronto Blue Jays for Troy Glaus in a swap of All-Star third basemen that was finalized after both players passed physicals. . . . The Atlanta Braves completed a trade that brought Mark Kotsay from the Oakland Athletics.

Emily Hughes will miss next week’s U.S. Figure Skating Championships because of a hip injury.

Student-athletes who compete in Illinois High School Assn. postseason events will be subject to random tests for performance-enhancing drugs starting next fall, said IHSA executive director Marty Hickman.

U.S. soccer forward Eddie Johnson, who has been linked to a possible move to Fulham in England’s Premier League, has left the national team’s training camp. Johnson left Sunday. He had been practicing for this weekend’s exhibition game against Sweden.

A memorial mass will be conducted for figure skater Christopher Bowman at 1 p.m. Thursday at St. Cyril’s Catholic Church, 15520 Ventura Blvd., in Encino, his family announced.

Don Cardwell, who pitched a no-hitter and helped the New York Mets win the 1969 World Series, died at Winston-Salem, N.C. He was 72. Section B.