Double-amputee Pistorius to take on world champion

Double-amputee Oscar Pistorius is set to take on world and Olympic 400m champion Jeremy Wariner at the IAAF meeting in Sheffield on July 15.

South African Pistorius, 20, was born without fibulae and had both legs amputated below the knee when he was 11 months old.

He runs with specially manufactured carbon-fibre blades fitted to his legs and holds the double amputee world record in 100m, 200m and 400m races.

Pistorius has a personal best of 46.34 in the 400m and has set himself the goal of competing in the Olympics. The world record stands at 43.18. Wariner's best time this year is 44.02.

The International Association of Athletics Federations will monitor the Sheffield race to help it decide whether the specialised equipment gives Pistorius an advantage.