Athletics: Pistorius chases Olympic dream

NEW YORK: South Africa’s Oscar Pistorius, the famed ‘Blade Runner’ who dreams of qualifying for next year’s London Olympics, brings his quest to today’s Diamond League meet at New York. The 24-year-old runner who captured four Paralympic gold medals is set to compete in the 400 metres against a field that includes US star Jeremy Wariner, the 2004 Athens Olympic 400 metres champion. Pistorius, who had both lower legs amputated when he was 11 months old, ran a personal best of 45.61 seconds last March in the 400 but must run a 45.25 by June 20 to qualify for the World Championships at South Korea in September.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 11th, 2011.