All his life, Oscar Pistorius has confronted obstacles. The double-amputee sprinter from South Africa now faces another one — a decision barring him from the Olympics.
Track and field's governing body ruled Monday that he is ineligible to compete this summer in Beijing — or any other sanctioned able-bodied competition — because his "Cheetah" racing blades are "technical aids" that give him a clear advantage.
"An athlete using this prosthetic blade has a demonstrable mechanical advantage (more than 30 percent) when compared to someone not using the blade," the International Association of Athletics Federations said.
Pistorius, 21, had long learned not to consider his artificial legs a hindrance, even refusing to park his car in a spot for the disabled.
"He has been competing in South African able-bodied competition for the past three years," said Peet Van Zyl, Pistorius' manager. "At this stage it looks like he is out of any able-bodied event."
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ACCAC honors an Aztec
Pima College sophomore guard Jessie Ingraham was named the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference Player of the Week on Monday for Division II women's basketball. In games last week, the Canyon del Oro High School graduate, had 27 points and seven rebounds in a victory over Phoenix College and 27 points, eight rebounds and five assists in a loss to Cochise. She has scored 27 points in three consecutive games.
● Sunnyside's wrestling team won the Peoria Tournament of Champions last weekend and had three individual champions.
The Blue Devils racked up 268 1/2 points to easily top the 33-team field, and had Lucio Murillo (103 pounds), Paul Garza (119) and Anthony Pike (heavyweight) claim titles.
Cimarron-Memorial from Las Vegas (204 1/2) and Safford (204) placed second and third overall.
Safford's Jon Casas (130) and Tyrell Andrews also won individual titles.
● UA freshman Alejandra Llanez was runner-up Saturday in the Mexican Women's Amateur Championship in Mexico City. She shot a three-round 222 and was 6 over par, four strokes behind Carmen Perez-Narbon of Spain.
miscellaneous
Cards, Jays finish trade
ST. LOUIS — Scott Rolen was traded from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday for Troy Glaus in a swap of All-Star third basemen that was finalized after both players passed physicals.
Rolen, 32, who requested a trade after last season, totaled just 35 homers the last three years while being hindered by a left shoulder injury that has required three operations.
Glaus, 31, was hampered by a bad left foot last season while hitting 20 homers in 115 games.
● The Braves sent reliever Joey Devine and a minor-league pitcher to Oakland on Monday for outfielder Mark Kotsay.
● Emily Hughes will miss next week's U.S. Figure Skating Championships because of a hip injury. The injury has kept her from training, but she said Monday she hopes to resume "serious training" in four to six weeks.
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