By Tom Pilcher
LONDON Aug 28 (Reuters) – Oscar Pistorius has learnt from
his Olympic experience at the London Games and will use it to
his advantage at the Paralympics, the South African said on
Tuesday.
The 25-year-old, who races wearing carbon fibre prosthetic
blades after he was born without a fibula in both legs, became
the first double amputee to run in the Olympics, where he made
the 400 metres semi-finals.
“I didn’t have patience on the day. I should have been more
patient,” Pistorius told a news conference before the London
Paralympic Games, which begin on Wednesday.
“At the 250-metre mark I realised I had already dug quite
deep. I’ve got used to the track and it’s going to be the same
passionate crowd, which I can hopefully use to my advantage.”
Pistorius is a four-times Paralympic gold medallist but does
not rate his chances of retaining his 100m title despite staying
in good shape after the Olympics and coming into the Paralympics
in “great condition”.
“I’d love to defend my title. But I think I’ve moved away
from the 100m,” he said.
“The 100 is going to be the biggest challenge. If I can
finish in the top three I would be more than happy.”
Pistorius is also running in the 200m, 400m and 4x100m
relay.
Continued…
