Jeffrey Kessler Represents Double Amputee Runner Blake Leeper in Appeal to Compete at Tokyo Olympics

On February 27, 2020, Blake Leeper, who runs with prosthetic blades and qualified for the 2019 World Championships, but was not allowed to compete, appealed World Athletics’ decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and is seeking a ruling in time to try to qualify for the Olympics. 

Leeper’s attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, partner at Winston & Strawn LLP, said that placing the burden on Leeper to prove he does not have an overall competitive advantage is flawed and contravenes his human rights. He also stated that Leeper has in fact met this burden. 

“Today’s appeal is the latest step in Mr. Leeper’s fight for equality on behalf of all disabled athletes who have been unjustifiably prevented from competing in sporting events because of their reliance on necessary prostheses,” said Kessler.

Read about Blake Leeper’s appeal to CAS in bid to make 2020 Olympics in Tokyo here.