Olympics: Oscar Pistorius gets nod for London double

Published on 05/07/2012 00:00

OSCAR Pistorius has been selected to run in both the individual 400 metres and the 4x400 relay at the London Olympics, clearing the way for him to become the first amputee track athlete to compete at any games.

In a surprise last-minute decision, South Africa’s Olympic committee and national track federation said the double amputee – known as Blade Runner can run in his individual event as well as the relay, even though he did not meet the country’s qualifying criteria in the 400.

The Olympic committee earlier announced that Pistorius, who runs on carbon fibre blades, had been picked only for the relay. “Today is truly one of the proudest days of my life,” Pistorius said. “To have been selected to represent Team South Africa at the London 2012 Olympic Games in the individual 400m and the 4x400m relay is a real honour and I am so pleased that years of hard work, determination and sacrifice have all come together.”

Olympic committee chief executive Tubby Reddy said that South Africa’s track body asked for permission to allow Pistorius to run the 400, even though he missed the final qualifying time he needed at last week’s African championships in his last qualifying race.

Reddy said his South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee agreed to clear Pistorius for the individual one-lap race as well.

“Since he’s going to be there [in London], our decision is he can run both,” said Reddy. “There’s no reason why he can’t.”

The multiple Paralympic champion, who had both his legs amputated below the knee when he was 11 months old, will realise a dream to compete at the Olympics and the Paralympics in the same year and will get a chance at his career goal, which is to make the 400m final at the games.