Making History
Friday, September 28, 2012
By: Amy Di Leo
Olympian Oscar Pistorius earned more than gold
"This summer has been a dream come true," said Oscar Pistorius. And what a summer it was – the 25-year-old South African sprinter, affectionately known as “Blade Runner,” set two new world records and garnered a whole world of new fans during the recent Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Pistorius first made history on his country’s relay team last year at the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, becoming the first amputee to win an able-bodied world championship medal. But it wasn’t until the 2012 London Olympics that the world truly got to know this dynamic runner. In early August, Pistorius became the first bilateral amputee to compete in an Olympic sport. On his carbon-fiber running blades, competing with able-bodied runners, Pistorius ran in final in the 4x400-meter relay.
Pistorius, who was born without fibulae, his lower legs amputated when he was 11 months old, qualified for the semifinal of the 400-meter individual race on August 4. His time of 45:44 seconds earned him second position in the field. Although he finished eighth, Pistorius earned more than a medal at that competition. Kirani James of Grenada, who took the gold medal, asked Pistorius to swap bibs after that race, a traditional show of respect. Pistorius described James’ act as “true Olympic spirit.”
At the closing ceremonies, Pistorius carried his country’s flag and later tweeted: “Really feel honoured (sic) to be chosen to carry the SA flag in the closing ceremony tonight! What a great ending to the games it'll be!” Four weeks later, he was again chosen as flagbearer at the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games, on the same London stage.
The Paralympics brought Pistorius’ lifetime medal total to eight: six Paralympic gold, one silver and one bronze. His final Paralympic gold medal came in the last race of the Games, the 400-meter individual – his best and favorite race. His time of 46.68 seconds is a new Paralympic and world record.
Earlier in the games, Pistorius took gold with his teammates in the 4x100-meter relay, setting a world record of 41.78 seconds. He also took silver in the 200-meter individual, losing his title in that race and also in the 100, where he came in third.
Pistorius is likely already preparing for his next challenge. Asked how he wants the world to remember him, he simply says, “As someone who made the most of the talent that God gave me.”
