Glorious Pistorius: Blade Runner gets 400 meter gold

Sunday, September 9th, 2012

By: “Gayle Falkenthal for Communities at WashingtonTimes.com”

South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius provided the grand finale to a glorious 10 days of competition at the 2012 London Paralympic Games Saturday with a world record winning time in his signature event, the men’s 400 meter T44 final.

Oscar Pistorius winning the men's 400m T44 Final in style

It’s been a dream Games for Pistorius, the unofficial ambassador for Paralympians around the world. Despite missing a medal in the 100 meters and having a bit of a fit after taking silver in the 200 meters, Pistorius won two golds in the 4X100 meter T42/46  relay and in tonight’s final event at Olympic Stadium.

Oscar Pistorius's lap of honour following his decisive win in the Men's 400m T44 Final

Pistorius finished in 46.68 seconds, three seconds ahead of silver medalist Blake Leeper from the United States. After the race, Pistorius enjoyed his victory but admitted he was nervous before the race, and tired.

“It was my 11th time I was able to come out on the track and I just wanted to end and give the crowd something they would appreciate and take home with them.

“I’m so proud,” he said in a broadcast interview. “This summer has been a dream come true. I couldn’t hope for anything better. It’s been the most amazing Paralympic Games and to run two world records and get three medals is such a blessing for me.”

All eyes were on the man nicknamed “Blade Runner” for his carbon-fiber prostethics. The capacity crowd of 80,000 rose to its collective feet as Pistorius hit the turn with the victory all but assured. It was the moment he and many of the Games’ fans had waited for.

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