South African Double-Amputee “Blade runner” Oscar Pistorius Named to 4×400 Olympic Team

Blade Runner headed to the London Olympics …

Oscar Pistorius, the South African double amputee runner has been selected to the South African Olympic track team in the individual 4×400 meter race and relay. Pistorius will be the first amputee track athlete to compete in the Olympics. South Africa’s Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee said Pistorius was picked for the London Games because of athletic achievements, not because he is the world’s most famous disabled athlete. That may not be entirely true seeing that the committee changed their minds despite the fact that he just missed out on the country’s strict qualifying criteria.  Kudos to Pistorius, hey if you can qualify for the Olympics, there is no reason why one should not be able to compete. Also, call me sentimental and having participated in volunteering for the Special Olympics, but I think it is a tremendous accomplishment for a double amputee to be an Olympic athlete.

Double-amputee runner Oscar Pistorius is going to the London Olympics after being selected for South Africa’s 1,600-meter relay team.

Pistorius is set to become the first amputee track athlete to compete at the games after South Africa’s Olympic committee picked him Wednesday as one of 13 athletes on the team initially selected last month.

“Today is really on of the happiest days of my life! Will be in (at)London2012 for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games!” the multiple Paralympic champion said on Twitter. “Thank you to everyone that has made me the athlete I am! God, family and friends, my competitors and supporters! You have all had a hand!”