He started running 4 years ago to recover from a rugby injury. Yes - you read that right - a disabled rugby player who switches to competitive running to “recover”. Months later he won the 200 meters at the Athens Paralympics.

Why is Pistorius an idol?

Because he overcame congenital physical challenges to excel in not one, but two sports that don’t naturally accommodate his physical form? Um, yeah obvious, right?

But what is also remarkable, beyond his athletic achievement, is his perseverance. He is fast enough to compete in Beijing, but may be banned from the Olympics because the IAAF ruled his prosthetics are an unfair advantage.

It’s controversial for sure - the mechanical nature of his prosthetics may give Pistorius an advantage in energy expenditure over runners who are “fully” abled ( translation: have legs and no prosthectics). And, when has the Olympics ever had a runner who had some unfair advantage ?

Pistorius in the 400m, Roma Golden League Pistorius pledges to fight the committee and hopes to compete despite recent rulings. As quoted in the NY Times:

“I feel that it is my responsibility, on behalf of myself and all other disabled athletes, to stand firmly and not allow one organization to inhibit our ability to compete using the very tools without which we simply cannot walk, let alone run,” Pistorius said. “I will not stand down.”

Want to learn more about this athlete?

Wired: “Blade Runner” March 2007

NY Times: Amputee Won’t Give Up Olympic Goal January 12, 2008

Wikipedia: Oscar Pistorius

YouTube: Athens 400m race

Fact: he refuses to park in disabled spots