It’s official – ‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius will not only compete in the 4 x 400 metre relay in the 2012 London Olympics but the individual race as well.
South African Athletics Federation announced overnight that even though the “Blade Runner” had not run the 45.30 time to qualify, he will get a start as in individual.
Pistorius released a media statement to say: “Today is truly one of the proudest days of my life. 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.”
Followers of this story will know it was broken by this author on this website three days ago.
Look out for this whole issue to become huge in London with huge interest on both sides of the argument as to whether he should be permitted to run against able bodies or not.
Jocelyn McLennan
Roar Guru
yes Benson..I am not sure why The South Afircan selectors did a back flip and selected to run the individual as well as the relay. I gues they thought since he had done one A qualifyer and was very close a couple of times to doing it the required second time that they was good enough. Bitter pille for people like Jon Steffensen etc from Australia that were close yet did not get individual berths. If there is on thing these Olympics have thrown up is that the inconsistancy of the selections.
benson
Guest
Sorry, but if he didn't do the qualifying time in the relevant period, why is he there in the individual 400m? This smacks either of PC thinking or publicity stunt. Did the South African selectors extend the same privilege to all the other near misses? Good on Oscar for achieving what he has but, gee, this opens the door to Pandora's Box.