IAN Jones believes Oscar Pistorius should be allowed to compete in this summer's Olympics - and not because it would boost his own Paralympic Games chances.

South African Pistorius will know at the end of the month whether his appeal against his Beijing ban is successful.

Jones and the man nicknamed `Blade Runner' became good friends at last summer's Paralympic World Cup in Manchester as well as track rivals.

And the Wythenshawe-based 400 metres runner hopes the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturns the ban imposed by the IAAF, athletics' world governing body.

"If he is good enough to compete at the Olympics then Oscar should be allowed to run," says the British number one. "It's not his fault he has to run on carbon fibre blades.

"He knows he will win gold at the Paralympic Games because he is ten seconds quicker than everyone else.

"Why shouldn't he be allowed to challenge himself at the Olympics? But if I have to run against Oscar at the Paralympics, I'd settle for a silver medal."

Favourite

Double amputee Pistorius is a firm favourite in Manchester since the Paralympic World Cup became an annual fixture on the city's sporting calendar.

The 2008 gathering, featuring 400 athletes from 45 countries, takes place from May 7-11.

It is the third event of six comprising Manchester World Sport 08 after the world cycling and swimming championships.

And only the Paralympic Games in China this September has greater importance. Indeed, the Chinese are fielding a squad for the first time.

Jones hopes to make the journey in reverse, rubberstamping his selection for the British squad with an eye-catching display at the Regional Athletics Arena: "Our selection for the Paralympic Games is in June," says 18-year-old Jones, currently ranked fourth in the world over one lap. "I ran 53.4 seconds last year so I've got the qualifying time.

"So, I've got to make sure I stay fit and healthy. Plus I think I can go a lot faster. The World Cup promises to be the best ever this year. A lot of the athletes will want to test themselves in the last major meeting before Beijing."

The World Cup features four sports - athletics, track cycling, swimming and wheelchair basketball. It is hosted by the British Paralympic Association and funded by UK Sport, Manchester City Council and the Northwest Regional Development Agency.

Tickets are available on www.paralympicworldcup.com or by phone on 0871 230 5595 MEN Media is the official media partner and for more information text WORLDCUP1 to 84880 to receive more info.

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