OSCAR Pistorius’ concerns over the length of rivals’ prosthetic blades could result in the International Paralympic Committee amending their rules.

South African Pistorius publicly questioned regulations governing blades immediately after being beaten to Paralympic gold in the T44 200 metres on Sunday night by Brazilian rival Alan Fonteles Oliveira.

Pistorius has apologised for the timing of his criticism at the Olympic Stadium and is now set to meet with the IPC for discussions following his first 200m defeat in nine years.

He had won the Paralympic title in Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008.

‘‘Last night was not the place to get out the rule book and propose how potentially Oscar Pistorius would like to change our rule book,’’ IPC communications director Craig Spence said.

‘‘What we need to do is have a formal meeting with all the experts in the room.

‘‘He might propose some changes, but out of credit to the athlete, who has done so much for the Paralympic movement, those comments he has shouldn’t fall on deaf ears.

‘‘That’s why we’re more than willing to meet him in the foreseeable future.’’ The 25-year-old four-time Paralympic champion first raised objections over a rival’s prosthetic running blades six weeks ago. That was not Oliveira, but the IPC were aware the issue could arise at the London 2012 Games.

Spence stopped short of confirming if Pistorius could be punished for his outburst.

The furore was sparked after Oliveira came from well behind to win gold in 21.45 seconds, leaving Pistorius to settle for silver in 21.52secs. Had Pistorius matched his world record heat run of 21.30 he would have won gold.

In a statement yesterday morning, Pistorius apologised for the timing of his comments, but not the sentiment.

‘‘I do believe that there is an issue here and I welcome the opportunity to discuss with the IPC but I accept that raising these concerns immediately as I stepped off the track was wrong,’’ he said.

‘‘I am a proud Paralympian and believe in the fairness of sport. I am happy to work with the IPC who obviously share these aims.’’ It is understood Pistorius’ objections relate to the formula used to calculate the maximal allowable height for each athlete.

The complex formula calculates the predicted height of an individual, plus 3.5 per cent to allow for the on-toes running position.

It is applied in T42 (above knee amputee), T43 (double below knee amputee) and T44 (single below knee amputee) competition. Prostheses are then custom made.

Spence, who insisted all athletes in the T44 200m were within permitted parameters, said: ‘‘The measurement is based on proportionality of the body. Clearly we don’t want athletes running on stilts.’’ IPC medical and scientific director Peter van der Vliet added: ‘‘We do have confidence in how these formulas are put together and which processes are in place.’’

LONDON 2012

PARALYMPICS YESTERDAY

Ellie Simmonds broke her own world record in the SM6 200m individual medley final to win her second gold medal of the Games after winning the S6 400m gold on Saturday. Natalie Jones picked up the bronze.

Natasha Baker won her second gold medal of the London Games in the grade II freestyle dressage at Greenwich Park.

Fifteen-year-old Jarrow swimmer Joseph Craig finished fourth in the S7 100m freestyle final at the Aquatics Centre. Craig had qualified 4th fastest for the final after finishing second in heat two in a time of 1:04:00 Sunderland sailor John Robertson finished fourth in race five and 13th in race six of the sonar competition at Weymouth alongside crew members Hannah Stodel and Stephen Thomas.

Middlesbrough’s Jade Jones missed out on a place in the T54 category 400m after finishing 6th in her heat.

Redcar ’s Terry Bywater was part of the Team GB men’s wheelchair basketball team that progressed to the quarter-finals after defeating Japan 71-55.

PARALYMPICS TODAY

Joseph Craig goes in heat two of the S7 50m freestyle at 11:35am. Should he progress the final takes place at 8:03pm.

John Robertson is back on the water for races seven and eight of the sonar competition, which takes place at 11am and 12:30pm.

Washington ’s Dan Engliish and North Shield’s Lee Brunton are back in action in the Men’s Football five-aside preliminaries Pool A when Team GB take on Iran at 3:30pm. They must win to stand a chance of reaching the semi-finals.

After yesterday’s disappointment, Jade Jones goes in heat one of the T54 800m in the Olympic Stadium at 10:15am