After winning his legal battle to be allowed to compete against able-bodied athletes, double amptuee sprinter Oscar Pistorius was unable to qualify for the upcoming Olympics in individual races. It was also announced today that the South African was not chosen as an alternate on his country's relay team, as four other runners posted faster times. While this is a setback to Pistorius's dream, it is most likely a temporary one. The 21-year-old will still compete in the Paralympic Games in September, where he holds the world record in the 400 meters. (See the link to the AP story on today's ruling below.)

While it would have been a great story and a huge development for athletes with disabilities to have Pistorius compete against able-bodied sprinters, the decision to leave him off the team was the right one. He was given the opportunity, which was all he asked for in court. He knew he had to outperform his opponents, and many were better, fair and square (barring failed drug tests, never a shock in 2008). Having followed the coverage I have no doubt that the disappointing results will motivate Pistorius to train even harder to make the 2012 Games. The last thing the disability rights movement needs is controversy over making a disabled athlete an Olympian when others' times were better and the bypassed alleging preferential treatment. Pistorius wouldn't want that kind of sympathy selection, either. This gives us four more years (at least) to follow his inspirational story.