Blade Runner has Olympics in his Sights

Oscar Pistorius suffered heartache in 2008 when he narrowly missed out on qualifying for the Beijing Olympics by just one quarter of a second. Since that moment the South African has suffered numerous injuries and struggled to rediscover his best form.

Last year a freak boating accident caused Pistorius to suffer a number of broken ribs and require surgery on his left eye. During this time away from the track he reassessed his goals and decided that he would have to sacrifice some of the things he loved.

“Since the accident I have had time to reflect on my sporting life and some of the crazy things I have done,” explains the multiple world record holder. “I have grown up a bit in the last 12 months and realise that I am very lucky to be in such a privileged position.”

Pistorius is not an athlete that dreamed of Olympic glory from a young age. Instead his early years where spent on the rugby field where he enjoyed the camaraderie that came with playing a team sport. It wasn’t until an injury in 2004 that the double amputee first began to actively take part in athletics.

Such was his natural talent, that after only three weeks of training he was breaking the 100m world record by over half a second. Still he was not fully convinced that he wanted to get involved in athletics and instead saw his training as a way of keeping fit and working towards a return to rugby.

“I was a little sceptical at first as I didn’t really enjoy the individual side of sprinting and training on my own. My coach kept convincing me to stay a few more weeks and in April 2004 I ran in the South African championships and placed first in both the 100 and 200 metres. I also set new world records in both but I still wasn’t fully convinced.

“Then he offered me the opportunity to go and race in the states which was too good to turn down. I had never left the country before so I thought it would be a terrific experience. The next thing I knew I was competing at the Athens Paralympics and wishing that I had got involved much earlier.”

At the 2004 Olympics he claimed his first medals, winning bronze in the 100m and gold in the 200m. The following four-year period saw Pistorius become one of the most recognised faces in athletics. With this wave of publicity came plenty of controversy.

Pistorius declared that he wanted to try and compete alongside able-bodied athletes. Unfortunately his choice of specially designed prosthetics came under huge scrutiny and he was originally banned from competing by the International Association of Athletics Federation who claimed he had an unfair advantage.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport soon corrected this decision and Pistorius was allowed to challenge able-bodied athletes. Although he failed to qualify for the summer Olympics of 2008 he did not let this disappointment stop him from achieving great success at the Paralympics.

“I was gutted about missing out, but the three gold medals at the Paralympics certainly helped. I had been working so hard to try and make that Olympic team and to only just miss out was pretty disappointing. It certainly spurred me on and London is just around the corner so I am working hard to make that dream come true.”

Pistorius is now fully fit and injury free and plans on extending his winning run over the coming months. First up is the Paralympic World Cup in Manchester where over 400 athletes from across the globe will be competing.

“It’s a big competition for me as it is the first race of the season. There are plenty of world class athletes attending so it is the perfect way to see how well I am performing.”

At just 23 years of age, Pistorius has plenty of good years ahead of him and hopes to achieve what no other Paralympian has ever done before to take part in both the Olympics and Paralympics. He also hopes to compete in both games in 2012.

“I would never sacrifice the opportunity to compete in the Paralympics and there is no reason why I can’t do both. I will work hard and if I qualify for the Olympics, then I plan to take part in both.”

If the incredibly talented sprinter does achieve this amazing feat then it will be thoroughly deserved. He has dedicated his life to achieving his goals and breaking world records. If he can make the South African team for the London Olympics then it will be a truly remarkable story.��

The BT Paralympic World Cup is taking place in Manchester between 25-31 May, featuring Football 7-a-side, Athletics, Swimming and Wheelchair Basketball. The event is supported by Manchester City Council, NWDA and ParalympicsGB. Tickets are on sale at: www.btparalympicworldcup.com