'Blade Runner' Oscar Pistorius will learn on Friday whether his appeal against a ban on competing against able-bodied athletes has been successful.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) are set to publish their ruling after the 21-year-old South African challenged an International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) ban imposed in January.

Following tests carried out on their behalf, the IAAF ruled his prosthetic legs gave him mechanical support.

The IAAF gave their decision claiming they had "overwhelming scientific evidence," of his advantage after receiving a report from Professor Peter Bruggemann at the German Sport University of Cologne.

Professor Bruggemann's evaluation of last November's tests indicated the runner's 'Cheetah' blades were technical aids leaving IAAF council members with no real option but to impose their sanction.

Pistorius, who is particularly keen to compete at this summer's Olympic Games, gave evidence at last month's CAS hearing after further tests were carried out at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology,

The three-day hearing in Lausanne heard from experts that his blades do not give him an unfair advantage when racing able-bodied rivals.

If Pistorius is successful in his appeal, he is determined to compete over 400m in Beijing although he is yet to achieve the Games qualifying standard.

But after establishing a high profile already by competing against able-bodied athletes last year, there will be plenty of opportunities to achieve the required time.

Pistorius needs to clock the 'A' standard of 45.55seconds or the 'B' qualifier of 45.95secs if no other South African should attain the higher one.

Although it will be scant consolation if he loses the appeal, Pistorius, who was born without fibulas and had his legs amputated below the knee when only 11 months old, remains eligible to compete at the Paralympics.

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