Oscar Pistorius Runs Qualifying 400-Meter Time In Quest To Reach London Olympics

FILE: Oscar Pistorius of South Africa competes in the men's 400 metres semi finals during day three of the 13th IAAF World Athletics Championships at the Daegu Stadium on August 29, 2011 in Daegu, South Korea.

JOHANNESBURG -- Double amputee Oscar Pistorius ran inside the 400-meter qualifying mark for the London Olympics for a second time Saturday, leaving him one race from making history at this year's games.

Pistorius was timed in 45.20 seconds on his carbon fiber blades at a meet in South Africa to win his first 400 race of the season. He again beat the mark set by track and field's ruling organization for able-bodied athletes.

"I am absolutely thrilled to have run the Olympic qualification time today," Pistorius said after his run at the regional meet in Pretoria. "This is a huge moment for me and I am trying to take it all in. I felt strong out there and when I crossed the line and saw the time it was such a magical moment for me."

The 25-year-old multiple Paralympic champion now must top the time once more in an international race to qualify for the Olympics, according to criteria now agreed on by Athletics South Africa and the country's Olympic committee.

Pistorius ran 45.07 in a race in Italy last year, faster than the then qualifying time of 45.25. The world track organization has since adjusted the time for the 400 to 45.30.

Either way, the South African has twice gone inside the able-bodied qualifying standard and needs one more sub-45.30 run overseas to realize his dream of becoming the first amputee athlete to compete at the Olympics. He was the first amputee athlete to run at the world championships in Daegu, South Korea, last year.

Pistorius' agent, Peet van Zyl, said they were confident of making the time once more in a meet outside South Africa and sealing a place at the London Games.

"If you want to go to the Olympics, you have to be in form anyway," Van Zyl said. "We know he can do it."

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Comments

[surlyguvna]

01:22 PM on 03/21/2012

That's Fracking awesome!!!

[Tru North]

10:40 PM on 03/20/2012

Go ahead Tink Tink!

[bobravv]

07:14 AM on 03/20/2012

Get those asterisks ready.

[asdf1010]

07:42 PM on 03/19/2012

Added advantage or no added advantage, the carbon fiber blades vs. no carbon fiber blades comparison becomes apples and oranges, IMO. Maybe apples vs. pears at best.

When it's athletes with all of their limbs, at least you comparing red delicious vs. pink ladies vs. crispins vs. granny smith ....

Tough call.

[dejapooh]

02:19 PM on 03/19/2012

Additional point... If he should be allowed to compete, should those who use wheelchairs be allowed to compete in the Marathon? They would take every event. The world record for a run marathon is 2 hours, 3 minutes, 2 seconds. The world record for a wheelchair marathon is 1 hour, 18 minutes, 27 seconds.

[dejapooh]

02:13 PM on 03/19/2012

The day is coming where technology will far surpass flesh. Where those who have had amputations are put at a competative advantage to those who have not. When that happens... When machine is more efficient than flesh, SHOULD those who use machine made parts be allowed to compete against those with Flesh Made parts? The paralympics were created because those with disabilities were at a competative disadvange, and thus were unable to compete. When the roles reverse, does the same hold true? His reaching parity is not the goal, it is a point of interest in a story that has long been developing and shall continue long after he retires.

[Flowers68]

02:12 AM on 03/19/2012

Katt Williams has a great comedy routine themed around this guy. It's both admiring and pokes fun at the other runners (OK, at Pistorius a little, too).

[MarkJudiGoet]

10:06 PM on 03/18/2012

Just when I'm ready to finally completely lose all faith in human beings and all hope for the human spirit someone like this comes along and screws it all up. He should be allowed to compete, he's one race away from meeting the qualifications, his prosthetics give him the ability to compete, they don't enhance it.

[dejapooh]

02:04 PM on 03/19/2012

Actually, the blades return energy better than legs do, with less effort. It COULD give him an advantage.

[MarkJudiGoet]

10:38 PM on 03/19/2012

I've read that these prosthetics are in, perhaps "wide " use wouldn't be accurate, but in use by other runners. If that is the case and they may give a runner an advantage, why is this runner the first to come close to qualifying and why haven't any records been broken by any runners wearing them?

[MarcEdward]

07:29 PM on 03/18/2012

They should let him in. It's not like he removed his own legs, he's just running under his own power. His legs aren't motorized, they don't shoot flames out the back, he doesn't have a diesel powered propeller on his chest. To those of you who say he shouldn't run, well, I used to think Dick Cheney was soulless, but ya'll have him beat.

[dejapooh]

02:06 PM on 03/19/2012

The design and materials of his blades allow a more efficient return of energy at less effort. They Could give him an unfair advantage.

[MarcEdward]

02:40 PM on 03/19/2012

So you're prefer he ran on his stumps? Seriously? Dick Cheney, is that you?

[mr5kev]

05:30 PM on 03/18/2012

If they allow this guy to compete with his obviously advantageous 'technology', then the other competitors should be allowed to compete in shoes with carbon-fiber leaf spring soles...wth, why not just put them all in Ferraris and let's see which world class runner can 'drive' the fastest around the track.

[Roskko Jones]

05:29 PM on 03/18/2012

how the hell can you criticize a guy with no legs for wanting to run with those fortunate enough to have theirs? for this former track participant and enthusiast...fine, as long as he does not take the place of the next competitor with full human body; and that he does not run for records established by men with all flesh and blood body parts. nice story, everyone get to feel better for giving an opinion that offers the opportunity for a fellow human with a handicap. but, in the end, it makes absolutely no sense. none whatsoever. think about it.

[trekie70]

04:06 PM on 03/18/2012

Evidently, the carbon-fiber legs don't give him much of an advantage or he would be breaking records by half. I say let him run. If the Olympic Committee approves it, that's good enough for me.

[mr5kev]

05:22 PM on 03/18/2012

To the contrary, were it not for the "carbon-fiber legs", that is, if he were competing on his natural limbs...he wouldn't come anywhere near to qualifying for Olympic trials.

[MarcEdward]

07:24 PM on 03/18/2012

Sour grapes, serving for one.

[Tony Twohill]

09:26 PM on 03/18/2012

do you mean what is left of his natural limbs?

[eltrip]

02:38 PM on 03/18/2012

Everyone is applauding this guy and rightfully so. He has worked very hard to get where he is and it seems that the majority of the Olympic organization wants him to compete. Of course they don't think he will win they just think it's nice that they let him compete and fulfill a dream. What if he wins, or someday someone with springs on their legs wins? I can already hear the howls of how unfair it is to allow devices that enhance performance in the Olympics. But for now it is a very nice story.

[MarcEdward]

07:25 PM on 03/18/2012

What's he supposed to do, put on iron legs?

[eltrip]

07:43 PM on 03/18/2012

Don't be silly. He should be allowed to do anything he wants. I'm talking about what the IOC should be allowing.

[eltrip]

07:44 PM on 03/18/2012

Read "he should be allowed to do anything that is permitted."

[cr33839]

02:26 PM on 03/18/2012

i have mix feelings about him. i remember a few years ago reading an article about the fastest paraplegic sprinter at the time, who was in close competition with pistorius at that point, and he had only one missing leg. that article addressed the issues of Pistorius having an advantage as well, and pointed out some issues. one of these was that his prosthetics make him taller than he would be with his real legs, which clearly gives him an advantage he wouldnt have with his real legs. maybe he does not do this anymore, but it just seems like it wouldnt seem like that big of an accomplishment if he qualifies because of the lingering questions about his possbile advantages.

[nanobot5000]

01:07 PM on 03/18/2012

If he can qualify WITHOUT the prosthetics, then of course he should be allowed to compete. Isn't fair and equal treatment what persons with disabilities or debilitating injuries want? Then I treat him with respect by saying NO, he should not be allowed to use mechanical enhancement to compete against other athletes who do not. Respect, but no.