THE STORY
In January 2008, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) ruled that South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius was ineligible to compete in the Beijing Olympics, citing his prosthetic 'Cheetah' blades as providing a mechanical advantage. Pistorius appealed, and in May 2008, the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned the decision, allowing him to compete in able-bodied events. Despite this, he failed to meet the Olympic qualifying time and did not participate in the Games.
TEAMS / PEOPLE:
Oscar Pistorius
WHY IT MATTERS
This case highlighted the intersection of technology, disability, and fairness in sports, sparking ongoing debates about the use of prosthetics in competitive athletics.