When Good Things Happen To Good People

I find the IOC in charge of the Olympics and all those Authorities on the matter of sport to be a pretty stiff mean bunch; but today they win the kind heart award ( It's just for the day now lets not get too excited!)

Born without fibulas, double amputee South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius won his appeal Friday and is authorized to compete in this upcoming 2008 Bejing Olympics. The Court of Arbitration deemed Oscar more than able to compete amongs able bodies athletes despite his disability; which overturns a ban overturning imposed by the International Association of Athletics Federations.The ruling is effective immedeatly:

"When I found out, I cried. 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."

Pistorius' lawyer was thrilled by the verdict.
"He simply has the chance now to compete fairly and equally," Jeffrey Kessler told The Associated Press. "We are particularly pleased that the decision is unanimous."

“Oscar will be welcomed wherever he competes this summer,” IAAF president Lamine Diack said in a statement. “He is an inspirational man and we look forward to admiring his achievements in the future.”

Pistorius appealed to the Court of Arbitration of Sport after an IAAF ruling on Jan. 14th that banned him from competing; stating his carbon fiber blades that Oscar uses as legs give him a mechanical advantage. The ruling has spread like wildfire agmonst the International sport community and the IOC issued a tender statement of warmth and acceptance ( very unlike them!)

"Oscar Pistorius is a determined and gutsy athlete who will now no doubt put all his energy into reaching the qualification standards for the Olympic Games,” the IOC said in a statement. “If he makes it we would be delighted to welcome him.”

Pistorius must now race to qualify to run in the individual 400 meters at the Aug. 8-24 Beijing Games. He can also be picked for the South African relay squad without qualifying provided the relay qualifies for the Games. Regardless of whether or not he qualifies- it is the simple fact that he has the opportunity at all that makes this a trememdous achievement for those in a similar position.

"A lot of the time we’ve had this year we’ve devoted to the court case,” Pistorius said. “Now when I get home, my time can be dedicated to training. I am going to have to start thinking about getting my body in shape in order to run those (qualifying) times. I am hopeful there will be enough time but it is going to be very difficult. We have the opportunity once again to chase my dream of participating in an Olympics, if not in 2008 then in 2012.”

Medal or not, Oscar is already a hero. I think all of us should send a prayer or some good vibes to such an ispsirational and courageous man as he embarks on his journey to achieve his dreams. It is people like Oscar that help us to believe in the impossible, and that any struggle and sacrifice for justice will be rewarded. Congrats Oscar, may your journey be a great success.