Pistorius must run leg one

"This person is a particular case," IAAF head Lamine Diack said of the athlete who runs with carbon fibre prosthetic blades in place of his lower legs, which were amputated before he was a year old due to a congenital condition.

"The only thing we said to the South African federation is that if he wants to run in the relay, he must run the first leg to avoid danger to other athletes."

The 24-year-old, who will make history in Daegu when he becomes the first double amputee athlete to compete at the world championships, said he would be proud just to be picked for the relay team and would run whichever leg team management told him to.

"We haven't confirmed the positions of the relay, or if I'm even in the relay yet," he said.

"If I get any opportunity to run in the relay I'll be proud just to do that. I've run in many relays in different legs and I've never had a problem or an incident so I'll just listen to what they say and give it my best."

Pistorius first competed against able-bodied athletes in 2007 but the IAAF then amended its rules to ban the use of "any technical device that incorporates springs, wheels or any other element that provides a user with an advantage over another athlete not using such a device".

In the following year the world governing body said scientific research had shown Pistorius enjoyed an advantage over able-bodied athletes and banned him from competitions held under their rules.

However, the decision was over-ruled by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, making Pistorius eligible for the 2008 Beijing Olympics although he was unable to qualify for the South African team, winning gold medals instead in the Paralympic 100, 200 and 400 metres.