Pistorius moves to diffuse Paralympics blades row

Throughout numerous legal fights to be allowed to compete alongside able-bodied rivals, Pistorius could at least always count on returning as the icon of the Paralympics and collecting gold medals.

But the era of Paralympic invincibility for the so-called "Blade Runner" appeared to end when his bid for a third straight gold in the 200 meters was thwarted Sunday night by another double amputee on carbon fiber prosthesis.

Victory seemed certain for Pistorius when he reached the bend on the London track, but Alan Oliveira of Brazil came storming down the home straight on his blades to overtake the defending champion.

Rather than hailing his rival, Pistorius accused the 20-year-old Brazilian of gaining an unfair edge by using lengthened blades. That's despite spending years himself convincing authorities that he should be allowed to compete in the Olympics — a feat he achieved last month — because his prosthesis did not influence his athletic capabilities.

Having called on the world to focus on the abilities of athletes rather than their disabilities before the London Games, Pistorius has shifted the spotlight back onto the advantage technology might provide.

To many, the South African sounded like a sore loser by launching his tirade within minutes of his first ever Paralympic loss in the 200, failing to defend the first of three titles from Beijing.

"I would never want to detract from another athlete's moment of triumph," he said in a statement on Monday. "And I want to apologize for the timing of my comments."

However, Pistorius was unwavering in his determination to ensure the International Paralympic Committee tightens the formula used to calculate the acceptable length of blades.

"I do believe that there is an issue here and I welcome the opportunity to discuss it with the IPC, but I accept that raising these concerns immediately as I stepped off the track was wrong," Pistorius said. "That was Alan's moment and I would like to put on record the respect I have for him.

"I am a proud Paralympian and believe in the fairness of sport. I am happy to work with the IPC, who obviously share these aims".

The IPC insists the length of Oliveira's blades were proportional to his body, with all the finalists measured before Sunday's race. But the IPC knows it cannot ignore perhaps the only globally recognizable star of the Paralympics.