Amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius still hopeful of Olympics place

South Africa's Oscar Pistorius competes in the men's 400 metres during the Golden Gala IAAF Golden League at the Olympic stadium in Rome July 13, 2007. (Photo credit: Xinhua)Photo Gallery>>BEIJING, May 5 -- South African amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius is still optimistic that he will be cleared to compete in the Beijing Olympics later this year.

In January, the I.A.A.F. ruled that the J-shaped blades Pistorius uses in competition were energy efficient and gave him a technical edge over able-bodied runners. But just under two weeks ago, the 21-year-old was given a two-day appeal hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne. Speaking in Rome, the 21-year-old revealed he is hopeful the verdict on his appeal will be announced in the next two weeks.

Oscar Pistorius , South African amputee sprinter, said, " Depending on the outcome, it will change what I am doing next year. If the outcome if favourable then obviously I will compete in the South African season, but if it is not then we will have to see what happens then, but I am going to try and stay optimistic and hopeful until then."