’Blade Runner’ to prove himself through worlds

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

National

Thu, November 30, 2023 | 09:49

2011 IAAF World Championships Daegu

’Blade Runner’ to prove himself through worlds

Posted : 2011-08-26 21:15

Updated : 2011-08-26 21:15

DAEGU — When Oscar Pistorius, wearing jeans and green t-shirt, entered the conference room at Novotel in Daegu, the gathered newsmakers didn’t see anything to suggest a man of limitations.

South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius smiles during a press conference held at Novotel, Daegu, Friday. / Yonhap

By Yoon Chul

DAEGU — When Oscar Pistorius, wearing jeans and green t-shirt, entered the conference room at Novotel in Daegu, the gathered newsmakers didn’t see anything to suggest a man of limitations.

Instead, they were able to note the confidence of the brave sprinter. The 24-year-old is a gold medalist in the Paralympics and also holds the record in the 100, 200 and 400 meters in the sport class T44, which is only for disabled athletes.

“It’s a huge honor to be here. I think the last six weeks was a whirlwind for me. It is really great to be able to qualify,” Pistorius said Friday.

Pistorius, who uses artificial limbs, has been at the center of controversy recently in competing with able-bodied athletes.

“There is no real advantage with prosthetic limbs. People always have opinions, my job is not to always have to field questions and have to answer them. I’ve had to go through a lot of tests to prove that I don’t have an advantage,” Pistorius said

The four-time Olympic champion, Michael Johnson, who led the conference, also supported the man dubbed “Blade Runner.”

“(I am) supportive of Oscar because the rules state that he can compete ... I want to see him do the best he can,”Johnson said.

Pistorius competed with able-bodied runners in 2007 but when the IAAF revised its rule to ban the use of “any technical device that incorporates springs, wheels or any other element that provides a user with an advantage over another athlete not using such a device,”he filed a suit with the Court of Arbitration for Sport on May 16, 2008, which revised the IAAF’s decision.

On his goal, Pistorius said at the conference that he wants to become one of the top five in the world.

In response to the IAAF president’s comments earlier in the day that Pistorius might need to run first in the 4x400-meter race, the sprinter said nothing has been decided.

“I haven’t confirmed the positions of the relay or even (whether) I’m in the relay yet. Among six athletes, only a chosen four can run,” Pistorius said.

Pistorius also revealed his next schedule for the London Games after his debut in the world championships. He will go to Europe and finish one or two more races before his three-week rest in September.

yc@koreatimes.co.kr