Oscar Pistorious was banned from Olympic competition four years ago. This past weekend he made history, thanks in part to research by a Wniversity of Idaho professor.
Pistorious of South Africa, nick named the blade runner, was the first ever amputee to compete in the summer games.
A University of Idaho professor was instrumental in helping with research that led to the athlete becoming eligible to compete
Specially designed prosthetics allowed him to not only compete at the London Olympic Games, but challenge the best in the world for a spot in the 400 meter dash finals.
Four years ago the international association of athletics federation banned him from competition. Officials claim his prosthetics gave him unfair edge over the competition.
University of Idaho professor Dr. Craig McGowan was recruited to run tests on Pistorious to see if that was actually true. His conclusion was "no."
Pistorious got the green light to compete in London. In a phone interview McGowan said he feels elated the Blade Runner fulfilled his dream. “I think it's fantastic. It's absolutely fantastic. He worked so very hard to get to the Olympics.”
Pistorious placed 2nd in his heat in prelims, but did not run as fast in semi-finals.
McGowan says Pistorious was a strong runner before the Beijing Olympics, and feels he's really transformed himself into true world class athlete.
McGowan says research showed the prosthetics provided no energetic advantage whatsoever
