Audio By Carbonatix
Double-amputee runner Oscar Pistorius is going to the London Olympics after being selected for South Africa's 1,600-meter relay team, reports The Associated Press.
Pistorius is set to become the first amputee track athlete to compete at the games after South Africa's Olympic committee picked him Wednesday as one of 13 athletes on the team initially selected last month.
"Today is really on of the happiest days of my life! Will be in (at) London 2012 for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games!" the multiple Paralympic champion said on Twitter. "Thank you to everyone that has made me the athlete I am! God, family and friends, my competitors and supporters! You have all had a hand!"
Pistorius was selected alongside Willem de Beer, Ofentse Mogawane and Shaun de Jager for the 4x400 race.
The selection eased Pistorius' disappointment at his failure to qualify in the individual 400 meters.
The 25-year-old runs on carbon fiber blades Despite missing out in the 400 by less than a quarter of a second at his final qualifying race at the African championships last week, Pistorius will get to realize his dream of competing at Olympic and Paralympic events in the same year.
Pistorius made history last year by qualifying for the world championships at Daegu, South Korea. He won silver with South Africa in the 4x400 as the first amputee competing in the race. However, the decision to leave him out of the final race caused controversy.
He travelled from South Africa to Europe to the United States and then to Benin, in West Africa, in his quest to achieve the qualifying time. He missed out by 0.22 seconds in that final race in Benin last week, despite still winning silver in the African final.
South Africa's Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee said Pistorius was picked for the London Games because of athletic achievements, not because he is the world's most famous disabled athlete.
"As I have said many times before, we are not taking passengers to London," said SASCOC President Gideon Sam said. "Everyone has met selection criteria and are genuine Olympic Games material, either now or for 2016. I wish them all the best."
Pistorius set the leading time in South Africa this season when he ran an Olympic-qualifying 45.20 seconds in the 400 at the March meet in Pretoria, his hometown.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Otumfuo Foundation marks International Day of Education in Obuasi, calls for stronger youth inclusion
5 minutes -
Police investigate attack on patrol team, service rifle seized and later recovered in Jacobu
16 minutes -
NPP peace pact signed too late – Adutwum’s campaign team
27 minutes -
January 31 NPP primary a battle between science and prophecy – Gyampo
42 minutes -
NPP knows what is best for them but must ‘walk the talk’ – Dr Bomfeh Jnr
50 minutes -
Prof. Gyampo backs NPP peace pact, questions silence of party elders over indiscipline
1 hour -
Bawumia may win NPP primary, but with slimmer margin – Paul Adom-Otchere
1 hour -
Inusah Fuseini accuses Akufo-Addo of ‘grandstanding’ ahead of NPP Primaries
1 hour -
Richmond Adu-Poku: Has TGMA lost sight of its purpose?Â
1 hour -
NPP must focus on grassroots rebuilding ahead of primaries – Gyampo
2 hours -
Ghana to enforce licensing for cybersecurity providers from January 31
2 hours -
GFA launches maiden FIFA U15 Girls Regional Colts Leagues
3 hours -
Father jailed 10 years for defilement and incest
3 hours -
Gov’t increases quarterly adjudication allowance for chiefs from GH¢30,000 to GH¢50,000
3 hours -
Livestream: Newsfile discusses transport fares & fuel prices, NPP primaries, Ofori-Atta & Sedina saga
4 hours
