Double amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius, whose prosthetic legs have been decried by some as an unfair advantage, won an appeal today and will be permitted to run at the 2008 Summer Olympics.That doesn't necessarily mean he will run, however. He would still need to run a qualifying time in his best event, the 400 meters, or be chosen by South Africa for a relay team.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled today that Pistorius is eligible to race against able-bodied athletes, overturning a ban by the IAAF, track and field's governing body, which said carbon fiber prosthetic blades are more efficient than human legs and therefore give him an unfair mechanical advantage. In a classy move, IAAF President Lamine Diack did not criticize the arbitration board's ruling and instead released a statement praising Pistorius today:
The arbitration board's ruling, which was unanimous, is effective immediately."The IAAF accepts the decision of CAS and Oscar will be welcomed wherever he competes this summer. He is an inspirational man and we look forward to admiring his achievements in the future."
Previously on FanHouse:
Oscar Pistorius Takes Second in 400 Meters, Runs Behind World-Class Sprinters
'Would I Want My Legs Back? I'd Have to Sit Down and Think About It'
400 Meters: Oscar Pistorius Can't Keep Up, Jeremy Wariner Stumbles and Stops
Chances are, unless you're a close follower of Thai Olympians, the name Manus Boonjumnong is a new one to you. He was the 2004 gold medalist in light welterweight boxing and, as a result, won some $600,000 in bonuses. He promptly blew all of it in a frenzy of gambling and partying which cost him both his national respect and his pregnant wife. 
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Whenever someone makes an all-name list of baseball players, there's always one name that seems to make the cut. He's not a great player but 
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