{"id":21838,"date":"2013-08-12T13:15:05","date_gmt":"2013-08-12T11:15:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/pistorius-creates-a-void-at-world-athletics-championships\/"},"modified":"2013-08-12T13:15:05","modified_gmt":"2013-08-12T11:15:05","slug":"pistorius-creates-a-void-at-world-athletics-championships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/pistorius-creates-a-void-at-world-athletics-championships\/","title":{"rendered":"Pistorius creates a void at World Athletics Championships"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t \"Oscar<\/a><\/p>\n

Oscar Pistorius appears in the magistrates court in Pretoria, South Africa, on June 4, 2013. The double-amputee Olympian faces a life sentence in prison if convicted of killing his girlfriend. Photo: AP<\/p>\n

For some of the 400-meter sprinters at the athletics world championships the subject of Oscar Pistorius<\/a> remains either taboo or not worth tackling.<\/p>\n

And yet for Olympic champion Kirani James, there\u2019s almost a sense of disappointment that Pistorius wasn\u2019t present for the event\u2019s opening round on Sunday.<\/p>\n

The South African double-amputee won\u2019t compete as he prepares for his murder trial<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A year ago in London, the \u201cBlade Runner\u201d was one of the faces of the Olympics as Pistorius enthralled the capacity crowds not so much with his performances, but through his perseverance<\/a>.<\/p>\n

James even swapped nametags with Pistorius at the London Games, just to have a keepsake.<\/p>\n

The defending world champion from Grenada recently ran across Pistorius\u2019 detachable jersey number while moving into a new apartment and intends to frame it.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor him not to be here, it\u2019s something the sport is missing,\u201d said James, who had the second-fastest time in qualifying.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always seen him as an inspiration for not just sports but life \u2013 in terms of no matter where you\u2019re from or what disability you have, whether it\u2019s physical or mental, you can still do something you love and be good and proud of doing it.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has a very special situation. I\u2019ll be praying for him.\u201d \u2013 AAP<\/a><\/p>\n

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