New Delhi: The International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) is studying whether South Africa's double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius enjoys an unfair advantage while racing against able-bodied athletes.
"The guy Oscar beat on Friday - the stride length was the same, but the speed through the air was slower for the able-bodied guy," IAAF spokesman Nick Davies said. "This research makes us want to do more."
On Friday, Oscar finished second in a 400 metres race in 46.90 seconds with able-bodied athletes at the Golden League meet in Rome.
The IAAF says Oscar uses curved, carbon-fibre prosthetic legs, which provide less air resistance than normal legs.
It is still reviewing the footage of the race to determine if the prosthetics did give him an unfair advantage.
The IAAF also clarified that they have not banned him from participation from races.
Pistorius, who was born without fibulas (the long, thin outer bone between the knee and ankle) hopes to compete at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
He was 11 months old when his legs were amputated below the knee and only began running four years ago to treat a rugby injury, and nine months later won the 200 meters at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece.
He has set world records in the 100, 200 and 400 in Paralympic events. To make next year's Olympics, Pistorius would have to run a 46.3 before the July 2008 qualifying deadline.
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