May 16, 2008 9:19 pm US/Pacific
Oscar Pistorius: Olympic Runner On A Mission
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) ―
-
-
A picture taken 13 July 2007 shows South African Oscar Pistorius (L) competing in the men's 400m race B during the Athletics IAAF Golden Gala at Rome's Olympic Stadium.
Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty Images
Remember the name 'Oscar Pistorius' when the Olympics come around. He'll be the guy with no legs who's running 400 meters faster than you or I could ever hope.
"I think today will go down in history for disabled people."
The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that that Paralympic world record holder can compete against the able-bodied competitors in the Olympics, despite concerns that having two prosthetic legs could be advantageous.
Jonathan Bik is a local tri-athlete who lost part of his right leg in 2005.
"You can't say he wouldn't be able to do the same thing if he were fully physically capable."
Pistorius just won his appeal after the International Association of Athletics Federations said it wouldn't be fair because his carbon-fiber blades might give him an advantage.
Although it seems unlikely, considering Oscar's world-record Paralympic time is still outside the Olympic qualifying time.
"Track is all about proving yourself, and he'll have his shot."
Even if he doesn't qualify for the South African Olympic team, he could still be chosen as an alternate. But this ruling puts him one step closer.
"Everyone who makes it to that starting line has worked hard to get there, but he has had to do even more."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
