DLV drops Rehm for Euros

German amputee long jumper Markus Rehm has not been nominated for the European Championships in Zurich in August, the German Athletics Federation (DLV) said on Wednesday.

Biometric measurements had shown that Rehm's carbon-fiber prosthesis could provide him with a "catapult effect" that would give him an unfair advantage over other competitors, the federation's president, Clemens Prokop, said on Wednesday.

Rehm and other experts have cast doubt on the methods used by the federation to compare his performance with that of non-amputee Christian Reif at the German nationals last weekend.

Decision 'disappointing'

The 25-year-old Rehm, who won the long jump event at the German nationals, said he is considering fighting the decision to leave him out of the team for the Euros, which take place in Zurich from August 12-17.

"I find it a pity and disappointing," he said.

The athlete had earlier said he would accept any decision that was made.

The German Government Commissioner for Matters relating to Disabled Persons, Verena Bentele, also expressed disappointment at the announcement.

"That is not a good way to treat the ability of disabled people, and I find it very disturbing," she said.

South African double-amputee runner Oscar Pistorius went to court to establish his eligibility for the 2012 London Olympics.

If nominated, Rehm would have been the first disabled athlete to take part in the European Championships.

tj/rc (AP, dpa)