Amputee runner Oscar Pistorius wins appeal
Oscar Pistorius was born without fibulas — the outer bone between the knee and ankle — and was 11 months old when his legs were amputated. His Olympic dream suddenly revived, Oscar Pistorius can get back to what he loves most — running.
The double-amputee sprinter from South Africa was cleared Friday to compete in his bid to qualify for the Beijing Games.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned a ruling by the International Association of Athletics Federations that barred the 21-year-old runner from the Olympics and any other able-bodied competition because of his prosthetic racing blades.
Pistorius broke into a broad smile to a roomful of applause when the decision was announced. He reached toward his manager, Peet van Zyl, for a victory handshake.
“I am ecstatic,” Pistorius said. “When I found out I was crying. … It is a battle that has been going on for far too long. It’s a great day for sport. I think this day is going to go down in history for the equality of disabled people.”
He holds the 400-meter Paralympic world record of 46.56 seconds but must reach the qualifying time of 45.55 to compete in the individual event in Beijing.
However, Pistorius also could be invited to join a South African relay team, which would not require him to qualify. If he does go to the Olympics, he will be competing alongside another amputee South African athlete: Natalie du Toit, who qualified for Beijing in open-water swimming.
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Montgomery going to prison
Olympic gold medalist Tim Montgomery was sentenced to 46 months in prison Friday for his part in a multimillion-dollar fake-check scheme.
The former track star, 33, hung his head as Judge Kenneth Karas imposed the sentence in a White Plains, N.Y. courtroom.
Montgomery pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy in the bank fraud and money laundering plot. Prosecutors said he had a hand in depositing bogus checks worth $1.7 million.
Montgomery retired in 2005 after he was banned from track and field for doping.
| The Associated Press
Oscar Pistorius was born without fibulas — the outer bone between the knee and ankle — and was 11 months old when his legs were amputated. His Olympic dream suddenly revived, Oscar Pistorius can get back to what he loves most — running.
The double-amputee sprinter from South Africa was cleared Friday to compete in his bid to qualify for the Beijing Games.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned a ruling by the International Association of Athletics Federations that barred the 21-year-old runner from the Olympics and any other able-bodied competition because of his prosthetic racing blades.
Pistorius broke into a broad smile to a roomful of applause when the decision was announced. He reached toward his manager, Peet van Zyl, for a victory handshake.
“I am ecstatic,” Pistorius said. “When I found out I was crying. … It is a battle that has been going on for far too long. It’s a great day for sport. I think this day is going to go down in history for the equality of disabled people.”
He holds the 400-meter Paralympic world record of 46.56 seconds but must reach the qualifying time of 45.55 to compete in the individual event in Beijing.
However, Pistorius also could be invited to join a South African relay team, which would not require him to qualify. If he does go to the Olympics, he will be competing alongside another amputee South African athlete: Natalie du Toit, who qualified for Beijing in open-water swimming.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Montgomery going to prison
Olympic gold medalist Tim Montgomery was sentenced to 46 months in prison Friday for his part in a multimillion-dollar fake-check scheme.
The former track star, 33, hung his head as Judge Kenneth Karas imposed the sentence in a White Plains, N.Y. courtroom.
Montgomery pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy in the bank fraud and money laundering plot. Prosecutors said he had a hand in depositing bogus checks worth $1.7 million.
Montgomery retired in 2005 after he was banned from track and field for doping.
| The Associated Press
