Double amputee Oscar Pistorius files appeal challenging International
Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF); seeks qualification at
sanctioned events
LONDON, Feb. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Oscar Pistorius -- a double amputee
athlete from South Africa who competes in sprint events from 100M to 400M
-- today initiated an appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport
(CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland challenging the International Association of
Athletics Federations (IAAF) determination disqualifying him from competing
in all IAAF sanctioned events, including the upcoming 2008 Beijing
Olympics. The appeal is being lead on a pro bono basis by a team of lawyers
from international law firm Dewey & LeBoeuf.
Twenty-one year old Pistorius was born without fibula bones in both of
his legs due to a congenital condition and at the age of 11 months had his
legs were amputated between his knees and ankles. Despite his disability,
Pistorius has pursued competition in athletics at an elite level, using
artificial limbs manufactured by the Icelandic company Ossur.
Pistorius has been competing in both paralympic and able-bodied events
sanctioned by the IAAF since 2004. In 2007 Pistorius was invited to compete
in the 400M event at the IAAF "Golden Gala" in Rome, Italy, where he
finished second with a time of 46.90 Seconds. In July 2007 he also competed
in the Norwich Union British Grand Prix, which was also sanctioned by the
IAAF.
However, in an about-face on 16 January 2008, the IAAF made a
determination that Pistorius would not be eligible to compete in IAAF
sanctioned events. The decision was made subsequent to a two day study
initiated by the IAAF, and which concluded that Pistorius receives an
"advantage" by using his prosthetic limbs.
Pistorius, backed by a team of leading experts, is certain that the
tools necessary to enable him to walk do not provide him with an advantage
over other athletes. It is argued that inadequate tests were performed on
Pistorius, and that the IAAF has erred in accepting the tests as the sole
premise for making such a grave decision. Pistorius has now lodged an
appeal against the decision of the IAAF, and has referred the matter to
arbitration in accordance with the IAAF rules.
Pistorius stated: "I am filing this appeal not just for myself, but for
all disabled athletes. We deserve a chance to compete at the highest levels
if our bodies permit us to do so."
The legal team from Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP, which has 27 offices on four
continents, has committed lawyers from its preeminent sports and
entertainment practice to fight Pistorius' cause. The effort will include a
collaboration of offices from the USA to Italy to South Africa, with the
lead partners being Marco Consonni and Bruno Gattai from Italy and Jeffrey
Kessler and David Feher from the United States.
"We believe in the cause that Oscar is fighting, and will use all of
our resources to pursue what is right," said Jeffrey Kessler of Dewey &
LeBoeuf.
SOURCE Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.dl.com
CONTACT:
U.S., Angelo Kakolyris, +1-212-424-8187,
angelo.kakolyris@dl.com; or International, Simon Marshall,
+44-20-7456-6107, simon.marshall@dl.com
|
