Double-Amputee ‘Blade Runner’ Qualifies for Olympic 400 Meter Semifinals — And Makes History Doing So
- Posted on August 4, 2012 at 1:09pm by
Madeleine Morgenstern
- Print »
- Email »
South Africa's Oscar Pistorius qualified for the men's 400-meter race Saturday, making history as the first amputee to compete in track at the Olympics. (AP)
LONDON (AP) — It began with a smile at the starting line.
Moments later, Oscar Pistorius took off and the click-click-clicking of carbon on the track was all but drowned out by the 80,000 fans on hand to watch him make history Saturday. The first amputee to compete in track at the Olympics, Pistorius cruised past an opponent or two in the backstretch of his 400-meter heat, and by the end, the “Blade Runner” was coasting in for a stress-free success.
Typical. Except this time, it was anything but that.
“I’ve worked for six years … to get my chance,” said the South African, who finished second and advanced to Sunday night’s semifinals. “I found myself smiling in the starting block. Which is very rare in the 400 meters.”
Getty Images
Yes, this sun-splashed day at Olympic Stadium was a good one for Pistorius, a double-amputee who runs on carbon-fiber blades and whose fight to get to this point has often felt more like a marathon than a sprint. He walked out of the tunnel, looked into the stands, saw his friends and family there – including his 89-year-old grandmother, who was carrying the South African flag.
“It’s very difficult to separate the occasion from the race,” Pistorius conceded.
But he figured it out. He finished in a season-best time of 45.44 seconds, crossing the line and looking up at the scoreboard, then covering his face with his hands when he saw the capital “Q” – for qualifier – go up by his name.
“Couldn’t have hoped for anything better,” he said.
The 25-year-old runner was born without fibulas and his legs were amputated below the knee before he was a year old. His is one of those stories that is every bit as much about the journey – one part dramatic, another part inspiring and yet another part controversial – as the final result.
“I know Oscar was the protagonist in the race,” said Luguelin Santos of the Dominican Republic, who actually won the heat by .4 but went virtually unnoticed. “But I love him. He’s a good racer.”
Erison Hurtault of Dominica, who trained with Pistorius in South Africa, agreed.
“One thing I can say about Oscar is he’s an incredibly hard worker,” Hurtault said. “I’m glad to see him out here. I‘m glad he’s getting a chance to finally compete and hopefully something emerges out of everyone else’s mind.”
Pistorius’ race, of course, resonated beyond sports and beyond London.
AP
The runner’s father, Henke, and Gerry Versfeld, the surgeon who amputated Oscar’s legs, watched the heat at a restaurant in Johannesburg with some friends. The father and the doctor hugged after the race and there were tears in Henke Pistorius’ eyes.
“To now stand on the pinnacle of where you strived and you hoped and you dreamed to be must be an amazingly emotional feeling for him,” he said. “I feel compassion and pride.”
Pistorius is an accomplished runner, with four Paralympic gold medals, but he waged a long fight to run in the Olympics against able-bodied opponents.
After dozens of hearings in front of hundreds of men and women in suits charged with the task of deciding whether the blades gave Pistorius an unfair advantage – then getting his country’s Olympic committee to accept his qualifying times and enter him into the games – Pistorius finally got his chance.
He shook hands with his opponents, crouched into the blocks, flashed that smile and then – in so many ways, it was just another race, with Pistorius among the fastest men in it.
“You’ve got to understand that Oscar is an exceptional athlete,” said Versfeld, the surgeon. “I mean, he is an amazingly talented person. I think the chances that there are going to be many other athletes with disabilities, amputations, I think the chances that they will be able to compete with able-bodied athletes is not high and I really think we are seeing a one-off type situation.”
Bursting out of the crouch from Lane 6, Pistorius got going slowly, but built up steam in the backstretch. He made up the lag and was easily among the top three when the runners turned into the backstretch. He passed Russia’s Maksim Dyldin and then, as all the top runners do in a 400 prelim, eased off the gas over the final few meters to save energy for the next one.
Though he knows his personal-best of 45.07 seconds isn’t fast enough to truly contend for a medal, Pistorius wants to be more than simply a set piece at these Olympics. His goal was to be a factor, to earn a spot in the semifinals, and he did that – something the defending champion in this event, LaShawn Merritt, did not.
“He’s fought to get here. He’s here. Great guy, friend of mine,” said Merritt, who pulled up lame with an injured hamstring halfway through his race and won’t get to face Pistorius on the track.
One man who might, Britain’s Nigel Levine, is among those who sounded less than thrilled about all the hype over Pistorius, who will also compete for South Africa in the 4×400-meter relay next week.
“Ask him,” Levine said when asked if Pistorius had an advantage. “I’ll keep my opinion to myself on that one. It has nothing to do with me.”
Advantage or no, getting to the semifinals was never a sure thing. Then again, there haven’t been many sure things for the “Blade Runner” on this Olympic road. And so, he appreciates every moment.
“It sometimes difficult to think the athletes and the friends and family of those who are here really understand what it’s about,” Pistorius said. “To be out here and to know you sacrificed ‘X’ amount to achieve this is just really mind-blowing.”
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 687 Comments
‘Jumah at the DNC’ Speaker: ‘Muslims Visited America Prior to Columbus’ & ‘It Was a Muslim’ Who Guided Him to the ‘New World’ 536 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 448 Comments
Obama: RNC Like Watching ‘Black-and-White TV’ Because Romney ‘Did Not Offer a Single New Idea’ 374 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 333 Comments
Faith
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 295 Comments- Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More
- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 305 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 196 Comments- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 148 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 301 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 295 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (81)
Inlightofthings
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 9:01pmGiven the approval to use such devices, it would only make sense that a non-amputee could have similar devices designed and retro-fitted. At that point, it becomes the circus which this is going to become.
Report Post »rghtwngcrzy
Posted on August 5, 2012 at 12:32amHe was not allowed to participate in the “regular” Olympics in 2008 because the committee believed the blades gave him an unfair advantage. Pistorius came to the US to Rice University where his running on blades was studying extensively and it was determined that the problems with starting and cornering cancelled out any advantage the “springing” created. He appealed to the committee with the data proving the blades did not give him an advantage and that is why he is allowed to compete. I’m sure the Olympic committee will review each and every athlete using a prosthesis the same way in the future.
The tattoo on his left shoulder is 1 Cor. 9:26-27: “So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
He’s an excellent example of determination and character.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on August 5, 2012 at 7:01amThey should all be allowed to wear them……………………………………..
Report Post »Inlightofthings
Posted on August 5, 2012 at 8:43pmNever questioned Mr. Pistorius’ dedication. The fact remains he has mechanical devices attached to his person. Forget the committees unless you are a liberal and like the politics you see in DC. Much more of the Professionals and this nonsense, I’ll be done watching altogether as the mystique and mystery will be gone. I rather like watching athletes I don’t see on TMZ, Enews, People etc etc….
Report Post »soybomb315_II
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 8:44pmjust saw his race on tv. He is noticably heavier (not muscle) in his upper body compared to the other runners…. Dont tell me those things dont make him faster
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 10:17pm@soybomb315_II
I’m am old school sprinter; 5.3 seconds in the 50 yard dash (still a record at my old High School) and 10.0 seconds in the 100 yard dash back when the World record was 9.9 seconds.With the right training I could have been a World Champion Sprinter.
Now, as for people with prosthetic devices, let them compete against other people with the same prosthetic devices. It’s unfair to let people with high tech prosthetic devices to compete against those who do not have the same prosthetic devices. If we do not separate runners by physical similarities China will start cutting off the lower legs of all their runners and training them to run with biometric prosthetic devices.
Report Post »soybomb315_II
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 10:22pmi know man, i was saying the same thing about china below
Report Post »DcBs Blaze
Posted on August 5, 2012 at 12:34amTink Tink tink tink tink tink tink. (old joke by Katt Williams) This does change things… China’s coaches have much to think about for the next Olympics. The Olympics is much like life. The good ol’ US of A will follow the rules as others do not feel the same rules apply to them.
Report Post »(P. S. this is all in jest; I would never hurt anyone’s feelings on purpose or by accident, as it appears accidentally hurting others carry the same consequences more often now days.)
miren
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 8:25pmI would not let him participate. It is unfair to the athletes. It’s all about the Mechanics of running. The SA runner has no feet, ankles, or shins. There is a buffer and is assisted by the blades or whatever they are called. His body is not doing the same exact mechanical revolutions the other runners are doing. I run. I land on my heel, the foot rotates forward with all the other bones and ligaments working together and there is a certain amount of kinetic energy that can be created that propels the runner forward. Carbon fiber blades are carbon fiber blades. On the one runner. There is a difference.
Report Post »jimbo_from_suwanee
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 7:18pmOne of the weakest points and hardest to work out muscle groups are those below the knee. One of the strongest and easiest to workout for gain are the thighs and gluts. He could ignore an entire muscle group in workouts, and what about studies of the spring advantage in muscle response. Too many questions. He should be a para-Olympic star where he races other similarly equipped athletes.
Report Post »PeachyinGA
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 8:04pmyep
Report Post »Haystack
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 6:49pmFYI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwhKuunp8D8&feature=player_embedded
Report Post »bikerr
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 8:49pm@Haystack—–Came here to see about Olympic runner and you post this link!?
Report Post »Please find the proper place for your well deserved video. (you stain the importance)
JohnDoeSr
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 6:32pmEven if these artificial legs do not give this guy an advantage, the next person with the next generation artificial limbs will have an advantage. Time to stop this now or it will eventually be a huge problem for the Olympics. Those who lose to a “bionic” person aren’t going to take it well.
But yes, it’s great the guy can run fast with the artificial legs he has, just not in the Olympics.
Report Post »Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 5:29pmIf he wins,do not be surprised to see a multitude of Chinese runners lacking legs the next Olympics.
Report Post »Maybe swimmers with fins? Pole Vaulters with springs?
NoTime
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 6:02pmLook, the guy gets off to a bad start, wobbles, recovers and comes in second? Naw, there can’t be an advantage there.
Report Post »midwesthippie
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 7:51pm…smokey is right tho, about china and others using artificial limb technology to win olympic events…and where does it stop? i watched the race and thought this guy was amazing but this is just the beginning of blurring the line…next we’ll see the prez selling our citizenship for less than 500 bucks. that’s less than boehner spends on haircuts per month…and tissues.
Report Post »LameLiberals
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 5:02pmSteriods and hormones are OUT …….but using a specially made metal foot springboard is in? Human feet/legs are at a huge disadvantage here.
This guy does NOT belong in the Olympics. This is more pandering.
The Chinese will have a whole team of runners in 4 years – all with their legs cut off – running with ergodynamic articificial legs probably with computer chips in them using some sophisticated blend of metals that provide even more bounce.
Next some guy in a super fast mortorized wheelchair will want to compete also.
Pandora’s box is opened. Let the disabled pandering begin.
Report Post »LameLiberals
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 5:08pmIf his springboard artificial feet did NOT give him an advantage, why isn’t he wearing the more HUMAN looking realistic artificial leg that has a fake artificial foot at the end with an athletic shoe on that artificial foot. Because feet are SLOW – human or fake. Metal CURVED springboards beat them both.
Report Post »Git-R-Done
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 3:58pmI don‘t have a problem with disabled people getting to compete at the Olympics as long as they don’t have a special advantage over everybody else.
There‘s a guy competing for the US in archery at this year’s Olympics named Jeff Fabry who lost one of his arms in a motorcycle accident when he was 15 years old.
Report Post »Halloween
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 3:49pmThis is not the Special Olympics. Not qualified!
Report Post »Spankster
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 3:59pmYou have professional basketball player in the Olympics and you say this man isn’t qualified….Don’t be stupid.
Report Post »desertspeaks
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 4:07pmlike you could beat him, ahahahahaha
Report Post »VoteBushIn12
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 4:16pm@HALLOWEEN
It’s called Paralympics not Special Olympics, but I agree with you.
@SPANKSTER
The removed the amateur requirement in the 80s so I don‘t see what point you’re making.
@DESERTSPEAKS
You give me wheels and I bet I could. Where do you draw the line between what artificial limb is or is not an unfair advantage?
If you are MISSING a limb, that’s one thing (like the wrestler with one leg). If you REPLACE a limb with a synthetic device that is an entirely different matter.
I say he shouldn’t be allowed to run.
Report Post »GoodStuff
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 3:32pmHe belongs in the para Olympics…period.
Report Post »CANDLEMAKER
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 3:32pmMr Pistorius has worked VERY hard and has earned the right to be in the Olympics!!! Good for him!!! Very inspiring!!!
Report Post »Ramv36
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 3:02pmMy father is a double-amputee. He left both his legs below the 38th parallel in Korea serving in the 101st Airborne. When the whole controversy about Pistorius having an advantage was going on, I asked him about any advantage being an amputee might give an athlete. His response?
“Anyone who would think that is either stupid or ******* insane.”
And so far, every amputee whom I’ve asked the same question has given a near verbatim-identical response.
Report Post »soybomb315_II
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 3:26pmsounds like your dad (God bless him) and the others are a little biased
Report Post »4xeverything
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 4:05pmExactly how would not having legs ever be an advantage. His prosthetics will never be a match for an actual pair of legs.
Report Post »VoteBushIn12
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 4:23pm@4XEVERYTHING
Now lower limbs means you weigh about 30 pounds less.
You don’t have to waste precious oxygen or glucose in your blood to fuel your feet.
The Carbon-Fiber has spring-like rebounding actions which help to propel you further.
You could add a few inches on your overall height making the athlete taller than he would otherwise be
Need I go on?
An exaggerated analogy would be letting someone use a trampoline for the high-jump in exchange for losing his feet. I promise you the guy would out-jump everyone there.
Like I said before. LOSING a limb is one thing (like the one-legged wrestler). REPLACING a limb with a synthetic device is another thing; it has no place in the Olympics.
Report Post »woodyb
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 8:02pmRAM,God Bless your dad, but has he ever used devices and technology such as this guy is sporting??????
Looks to me like the Olympic officials are just being Politically Correct to allow him to (I THINK the word is) compete!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »godlovinmom
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 2:13pmHave to agree with most everyone else…I believe it does give him an advantage…Bob Beckle needs to get on him about this…on a side note…if we gave Obama a pair of these, would he get out of our White House faster…stupid I know, but still.
Report Post »yougottabekidding
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 2:50pmA lot of major muscle not there that would require oxygen and
Report Post »blood flow that can now be used else where. Could be an offset.
Still a major accomplishment, hope all goes well
Apple Bite
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 2:06pmTough call from here. Example, what are his chances of pulling a calf muscle?
ZERO. ZILCH. NADA.
Without some of the things that would hinder the normal athlete physically, I‘m not sure you can say it’s fair to the others.
Report Post »soybomb315_II
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 2:19pmi looked it up, those metal springs weigh 18 ounces. I assume that is for each….Say, 3 pounds total. Plus those things on his knees. Total, that contraption weigh no more than 10 pounds…I bet any of the other runners are about 30 pounds down there. Not to mention he has no muscle fatigue and without lower legs, his heart doesnt have to work as hard to supply the rest of his muscles with oxygen
Report Post »The_Jerk
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 2:34pmSoybomb315_II, excellent points. Most importantly, with less cellular mass he produces less lactic acid, and can stay aerobic for a longer period of time. That is, he hits the wall later than he normally would. Definite advantage.
Report Post »soybomb315_II
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 2:52pm@the-jerk
Report Post »Correct me if i’m wrong, but doesnt that contraption also make hamstring muscle irrelevant? So the only muscles needed are quads and hip flexors….
The_Jerk
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 2:06pmFairness must be in this debate. Not sure. He may have an advantage.
Report Post »Greyowl
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 2:03pmHe may have an advantage but I’m proud for him just the same.
Report Post »soybomb315_II
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 2:01pmnow that the allow spring feet to compete in the olympics, i bet you China is going to start cutting off legs of kids in order to get these things
Report Post »zipzap
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 2:59pmGreat point. It will happen. Also I read an article the other day about people who have this psychological need to self-amputate their limbs. Maybe they could have a future in the new PC Olympics.
Report Post »zipzap
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 1:50pmLooking this over, I’m wondering what the effect of the “reduced weight” had on his overall speed. Kind of like in motor sports where every lb. you can shed you shed to get faster. Good for this guy! It’s great to see guys like this achieve their dreams. Of course Obama will say: “You didn’t win that.” Somebody else built those legs for you.
Report Post »hi
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 1:41pmHe is awesome! He is such an inspiration!
Report Post »MittensKittens
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 1:38pmThat’s pretty amazing…The guy is awesome!
Report Post »kindling
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 1:27pmWhen they let women run that are actually men I think it doesn’t matter anymore. Look at the Chinese and how they groom and drug their athletes. I love this story, he makes we wonder about people that have had feet removed and just spread out in a wheel chair rather than try to walk again. Attitude.
Report Post »sawbuck
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 1:23pmPC run amuck …Ok I’m in just that kind of mood…
Report Post »I cant wait to se him switch out his carbon-fiber-legs ..
For a Johnson-outboard to do the long distant swim…
Gonzo
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 2:07pmHow about some spings for the high and long jump?
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 2:43pmlol sawbuck…I just had a mental picture of Lt. Dan in the Olympics…
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 1:20pmI admire the heck out of the guy, not sure it’s fair to the other athletes though. Tough call. I can understand the other athletes not being thrilled about it.
Report Post »salvawhoray
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 1:46pmIt’s not fair.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 2:01pmYea, you’re right Sal. I would just hate to be the one to tell him he can’t run in the Olympics.
Report Post »soybomb315_II
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 2:07pmsorry – rules are rules. We have paraolympics for stuff like this
PC needs to stop
Report Post »the_truth_or_not
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 6:24pm@GONZO
It would be EASY for me to tell him for me as these prosthetics gives a huge advantage. I dont need to go into detail about how they do, as so many others already done so. I would tell him come back with a device that weighs the same amount of weight as a human lower leg, that is attached to the tendons so they are properly used, and imulates the movement of a human foot. Also you need a device that would remove the equivelant amount of oxygen from your blood that your lower legs would have, then we could talk.
I have tried this type of device on in a tech. show when they first came out. Not to mention the longer legnth I had in my legs, my stride was almost 2.5 xs longer than my normal stride without using as much energy, I was springing around like no-one elses business and even made the comment that I would like a pair for myself if I had the $$$. I would wear them anytime I had to walk for a great distance. I could probably afford them now, but lost interest.
Report Post »Para-lympics yes. Olympics no.
HorseDancer
Posted on August 5, 2012 at 11:59amYeah, I admire the guy, too. Know who else I admire? THE NUGE! Rock on! Motor City Madman! Uncle Ted! He’s everything a good strong American man should be – patriotic, consistent, courageous, committed to our military, law-abiding. He’s just so darn special, don’t you think, Gonzo? I can’t think of a single thing that he could do better or be more of that would make him any more manly. He’s a rock star for today and a godly man for the ages. Rock on, Ted! And you, too, Gonzo.
I’ll be back with more accolades, just as soon as I do a load of laundry. Seems I’ve let matters – ahem – build up for a few days. You understand. I know you do.
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on August 4, 2012 at 1:16pmGood for him. But in my opinion, I’d say he has an advantage.
Report Post »