Oscar Pistorius photos will become the first amputee sprinter to compete in the Olympics after being selected for South Africa
Blade runner Pistorius to make history after inclusion in South Africa's Olympic team
Blade runner Pistorius to make history after inclusion in South Africa's Olympic team
Oscar Pistorius will become the first amputee sprinter to compete in the Olympics after being selected for South Africa.
The double amputee, known as the 'Blade Runner' due to the prosthetic carbon fibre limbs he uses, will compete in both 400m and the 4x400m relay.
Pistorius, who will also compete at the Paralympics, was on Wednesday named in a 13-strong group of athletes by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee that completes their team for London 2012.
Going for gold: Oscar Pistorius will compete in the mens 4x400m relay
The 25-year-old was selected alongside Willem de Beer, Ofentse Mogawane and Shaun de Jager for the rela.
Pistorius set the leading time in South Africa this season when he ran an Olympic-qualifying 45.20 seconds in the 400m at the March meet in Pretoria, his hometown.
He was unable to reach the mark again in an international meeting, as stipulated by the national federation's qualifying rules. Needing a time of 45.30secs in the African Championships in Benin on Friday, he managed 45.52s in his second-placed finish.
Walking tall: 'Blade Runner' Pistorius will return to the track for real in London
However, he has done enough to be considered for the individual event.
Tweeting after receiving the news today, Pistorius said: 'Today is really one of the happiest days of my life! Will be in London2012 for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games!
'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!'
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