For the many who do not know Oscar Pistorius, he is a 24 year old runner with who took the hard road to success. Pistorius was born with congenial absence of the fibula in both of his legs. Eleven months into his life, Pistorius had both of his legs amputated below the knees. But amputated legs never stopped Pistorius from running. In 2004, Pistorius competed in the Summer Paralympics and won the 200 meter race in a record 21.97 seconds. In 2005, Pistorius came in sixth overall in the able-bodied South African 400 meter race with a record time of 47.34 seconds. At the Paralympics in 2006, Pistorius won the 100 meter, 200 meter, and 400 meter events. And in 2007, Pistorius broke the disability world record time 46.56 seconds during the 400 meter event. However, when it came to running against able bodied runners, the International Association of Athletic Federations took issue to Pistorius' desire to compete against able bodied runners.
On March 26th 2007, the International Association of Athletic Federations placed a ban on "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." Their ruling effectively banned Oscar Pistorius from competing against able bodied runners in events such as the World Championships and the Olympics. The IAAF claimed that the ruling was not specifically targeted at Pistorius, and they may have had a case because the same IAFF did invite Pistorius to the 400 meter race at the 2005 IAAF Grand Prix. In 2008, Pistorius challenged the ruling and after a two day hearing, the amendment was overturned. Oscar Pistorius was free to run with who ever he wanted to run with.
Now, in 2011, the story of Oscar Pistorius has come full circle. South Africa announced that Pistorius would be one of the 26 runners representing the country at the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea. No running against other people with physical amputations. No restrictions on the Cheetah Flex Foot bladed legs that Pistorius uses to run. And no more having to prove himself to all of his doubters. It may not be the 2012 Olympics, but when Pistorius takes the track against the able bodied runners, he will get to truly show us all how far he has come as a runner with no legs.
Oscar Pistorius may not be getting much attention from the mainstream sports media, but a man born without use in his legs competing against able bodied runners is a pretty incredible thing. So let us all wish Oscar Pistorius the best of luck in Daegu, and who knows, perhaps we will see him run for South Africa in London next year.
