"Blade runner" Oscar Pistorius - world class performer - double amputee

[tonyz]

This gentleman has no shortage of heart - there is some controversy regarding his prosthetic legs.

Oscar Pistorius advances in 400m at World Championships
By Reuters
Updated: Aug 28, 7:37a ET

http://www.universalsports.com/news-...id=551904.html

DAEGU, South Korea, Aug 28 (Reuters) - "Blade runner" Oscar Pistorius passed his first test with flying colours on his world championships debut by finishing third in his heat to reach the semi-finals of the 400 metres on Sunday.

The South African, who has had to overcome huge legal and performance obstacles just to be allowed to race in Daegu on his prosthetic legs, delighted the crowd with a strong run of 45.39 seconds from an outside lane.

The crowd rose to the double amputee as he powered down the final straight before a band of his compatriots chanted "Oscar! Oscar!" to confirm the 24-year-old as one of the sentimental favourites of the championships.

Describing his landmark race as a "great relief" especially after the disruption of a false start by another of the runners, Pistorius said he had fulfilled a long-held ambition.

"It was a great opportunity for me to have a chance to run, this is a goal I've had for many, many years," he told reporters.

"I really don't feel like a pioneer but I'm very honoured to be in the position I am in ... I hope to write a few more chapters, I'm still young."

Noting that other heats had been faster, Pistorius, whose time was the second fastest of his career, said he thought Monday's semi-final might be the end of the road for him in Daegu.

"Today my goal was to be consistent, it was difficult running from lane eight, I know tomorrow's going to be much more challenging," he said.

Earlier, defending champion LaShawn Merritt of the U.S. had stamped his authority on the event with the fastest time of the year of 44.35 to win his heat in impressive style.

The American, also the Olympic champion, had raced just once before Sunday since returning from a 21-month doping suspension in July.

"I've never worked harder, it was a little faster than I thought it would be but I was comfortable," he said.

Merritt confirmed that Pistorius's story had inspired not only the crowd.

"He ran the time to get here, I had a little time to talk to him and he's a great person with a great personality," he said. "He's dedicated and motivated and has a great heart. I wish all the best to him."

Young Grenadans Kirani James (45.12) and Rondell Bartholomew (44.82), the fastest men this year before Merritt's run on Sunday, also eased into Monday's semi-finals.

American champion Tony McQuay, who owned the fourth best time of the year, made a surprise exit, however, after pulling up with a hamstring strain.

http://www.oscarpistorius.com/

[Pete]

Blade Runner Oscar Pistorius charged with murder after 'he accidentally shot dead his model girlfriend at his luxury South Africa home when he mistook her for an intruder'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...#ixzz2KsSiUtcy
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"South African paralympic star Oscar Pistorius has been charged with murder and is in custody after reportedly shooting his girlfriend dead in the middle of the night after mistaking her for a burglar.

It happened at 4am this morning and the woman may have been killed after a Valentine's Day surprise went tragically wrong at his mansion in Pretoria.

The dead woman is Reeva Steenkamp, 30, a former FHM model who has been dating the 26-year-old for two months................................."

Well, that's one way to end his career in sports. These days - maybe not.

Teaching point - don't sneak up on people who sleep with guns.

[Guymullins]

Originally Posted by Brush Okie

Teaching point #2, always ID your target before shooting. A tragity all the way around.

I had lunch with a Pretoria (Oscars home town) policeman today who knows him fairly well. There has been a history of booze and assault with Oscar and he took four shots at the girl, two of which hit her. The feeling is some kind of rage consumed him on Valentines Day morning.
Roses are red and violets are glorious, dont try and sneak up on, Oscar Pistorius.