Oscar Pistorius
May 13, 2008 – 6:59 am
Oscar Pistorius was born without fibulas. At the age of one both of his lower legs were amputed. So most people are a bit surprised when they hear that he is trying to compete in the 400 meter at this year’s Beijing Olympics. They think he must be talking about the Paralympics, but at 21, he has already dominated those games setting world records in the 100, 200, and 400 meters. Pistorius wants to race on the big stage and he has proven that he is capable. Last year he finished second in the South African National Championships and very close to a qualifying time.
Recently however, the International Association of Athletics Federations ruled that the “blades” Pistorius runs on give him an “unfair advantage” and have barred him from participating in any able-bodied events. Pistorius has since appealed the decision and is committed to fighting it as far as he can. He says he’s not only doing it for himself, but for all disabled athletes who deserve a chance to compete.
Hopefully Oscar will get that chance to race again, but even if he never does, he’s already accomplished something great by changing the idea that prosthetic limbs area a limitation. We salute his hard work and determination and wish him the best in his appeals.
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