Oscar Pistorius targets double Games appearance as he kicks off BT Paralympic World Cup in Manchester
By Barrie White, Sports News Editor
Sprinter Oscar Pistorius believes he is on track to compete in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London this summer.
The 25-year-old, due to make his first appearance of the season BT Paralympic World Cup in Manchester this week, is aiming to below the A standard qualifying time of 45.30 for the 400m to make the South African Olympic squad.
Pistorius, who ran in the 400m at the 2009 World Championships in Daegu, is not expecting to just be competing in one Games, but wants to achieve his long-term goal of an Olympic appearance.
“My form is pretty good,” said Pistorius, speaking as a BT ambassador ahead of the World Cup and to mark 100 days before the start of the Paralympics.
“I ran an A qualification time two months ago in South Africa, and since then I haven’t raced as much so I think it will take me two or three races to get going.
“My weight is looking very good, my fitness and strength is looking how it should be. I’m excited to have another personal best season, and it will be pretty good.
“I’m looking forward to the Paralympic Games, but it’s been a goal of mine for seven years and one that I’ve been working very hard towards since 2007.
“I’m pretty happy with the performances I’ve put in so far, so hopefully the ones before the Games will gain me the chance to run later in the year in London in both of the Games.”
However, chasing his Olympic dream has not meant Pistorius has turned back on the Paralympic world, but has given him motivation to show how far Paralympic sport has come.
He will be competing for the Rest of the World against Great Britain, the Americas and Europe as the World Cup kicks off on Tuesday, before flying to compete in the Diamond League in Ostrava on Friday.
He said: “The Paralympic movement has come such a long way and I’ll be really happy to be part of the movement.
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“But if I get the opportunity to run in the Olympics, then I hope it casts light on how professional the Paralympic sportspeople are and how serious they take their sports.
“That opportunity for me would be pretty special for me. I haven’t done it to prove any points or to do it for anybody else, I just believe that I’ve been blessed with ability and I don’t want to let it go to waste.
“All the experience I’ve been able to take away over the years from the BT Paralympic World Cup, I’m sure it will be to my advantage going into London.”
The BT Paralympic World Cup is taking place in Manchester from 22-26 May with elite international athletes competing in Athletics, Football 7-aside and Wheelchair Basketball. Go to www.btparalympicworldcup.com for tickets and more information.
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