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Amputee long jumper won't contest Germany's decision to leave him off Euro team

The Associated Press Published Thursday, July 31, 2014 7:24AM EDT

Germany's Markus Rehm makes a world record jump of 7.14 metres in the men's long jump F42/44 final during the athletics competition at the 2012 Paralympics, in London on Friday, Aug. 31, 2012. (AP / Matt Dunham)

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FRANKFURT, Germany -- A German amputee long jumper says he will not contest the decision to exclude him from the upcoming European Championships.

Paralympic champion Markus Rehm won the long jump at the German nationals last weekend with an effort of 8.24 metres.

But the German Athletics Federation left Rehm off the squad for the Aug. 12-17 Euros in Zurich, saying the athlete's carbon-fiber prosthesis gives him an unfair advantage.

Rehm told a German television morning program on Thursday that he would not appeal the ruling.

Rehm said he had respect for other athletes, did not want to cause confusion and wanted to "remain fair." He said the measurements used to exclude him from the team were not complete.