BEIJING, May 5 -- South African amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius is still optimistic that he will be cleared to compete in the Beijing Olympics later this year.

In January, the I.A.A.F. ruled that the J-shaped blades Pistorius uses in competition were energy efficient and gave him a technical edge over able-bodied runners. But just under two weeks ago, the 21-year-old was given a two-day appeal hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne. Speaking in Rome, the 21-year-old revealed he is hopeful the verdict on his appeal will be announced in the next two weeks.

Oscar Pistorius , South African amputee sprinter, said, " Depending on the outcome, it will change what I am doing next year. If the outcome if favourable then obviously I will compete in the South African season, but if it is not then we will have to see what happens then, but I am going to try and stay optimistic and hopeful until then."