A Paralympic gold medalist who runs with prosthetic lower legs has been told he cannot compete at the Olympic Games.

South Africa's Oscar Pistorius was born without fibula bones in his legs and they were amputated below the knee when he was 11 months old.

He became known as the 'fastest man on no legs' by setting amputee world records at 100 metres, 200 metres and 400 metres.

He uses J-shaped, carbon fibre 'blades' and his times at 400 metres have come close to those of world-class able-bodied athletes.

Last year, Pistorius competed against world-class, able-bodied athletes in Rome and Sheffield and hoped to compete at the Olympics in Bejing later this year but officials raised concerns about the blades because he appeared to gain ground on his able-bodied rivals in the closing stages of races.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) commissioned an independent scientific study into Pistorius and his blades and the results showed he had a clear advantage.

Professor Peter Brüggemann revealed Pistorius was able to run as fast as able-bodied athletes while using 25 per cent less energy and the blades are almost three times more effective than the human ankle while sprinting.

Pistorius is expected to appeal against the decision.

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