Oscar Pistorius will make history by becoming the first double amputee to compete on the track at the Olympic Games after he was chosen to run in the 400 metres and 4x400m relay in London.
Speaking exclusively to Sportsmail, Pistorius said he ‘never gave up hope’ of achieving his dream, despite narrowly missing out on clocking the ‘A’ standard for a second time this year.
The Blade Runner, who had both legs amputated below the knee when he was just 11 months old, will also defend his titles in the T44 100m, 200m and 400m at the Paralympic Games later this summer.
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Going for gold: Oscar Pistorius will compete in the men's 4x400m relay
‘The Olympics is a phenomenal competition and just to be there is a privilege,’ he said, ‘but I don’t just want to get there and feel, ‘‘I’ve made the Olympics. That’s awesome”.
‘You don’t always look at whether you can win a medal or make a final, but just what you do at that time is the best you can do. Then I’ll be content. I also want my country to do well and I know they will do better because I’m in that relay team.’
Walking tall: 'Blade Runner' Pistorius will return to the track for real in London
Pistorius, 25, appeared to have missed out on an unprecedented Olympic and Paralympic double when he ran 45.52sec — outside the 45.30sec ‘A’ standard — last week. But he was still selected for the relay team after his 45.20 run in March, which made him eligible to be chosen in the individual event as well.
The South African, who runs on carbon-fibre blades, won an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in May 2008 that left him free to compete for a place at the Olympics.
Ready for action: Pistorius will also compete in the individual event despite falling short of the time
Pistorius said: ‘It’s a privilege to have an opportunity to perform at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London. I wanted to compete in the Olympics because it’s a reflection of my ranking in the world. It’s a reward for any athlete, after years of training, to progress to a competition like that.
‘I care about the integrity of my sport. I’m blessed to have respect from the guys I compete against and I give them the same amount of respect. I’m so excited about the next few weeks of competition.’
Gideon Sam, president of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee, insisted Pistorius was selected on merit and not simply for the chance to rewrite the record books.
He said: ‘As I have said many times, we are not taking passengers to London. Everyone has met selection criteria and are genuine Olympic Games material, either now or for 2016. I wish them all the best.’
Video: Oscar Pistorius strides out onto the track for a photocall
A new phase of the programme has introduced 18,800 free cycling parking bays covering all venues, with 7,000 at the Olympic Park alone.
Spectators can also access a free ‘keep you going’ cycle maintenance service, which will be available at the Olympic Park, Box Hill, Hampton Court Palace, Hadleigh Farm and Brands Hatch.
As part of the guided walk and rides, spectators will be accompanied by experienced leaders and travel on some of the best ‘off road’ walking and cycling routes around London and the UK. Some of the longer walks allow ticket holders to make their way from King's Cross to the Olympic Park, from Canary Wharf to North Greenwich Arena or even from Tottenham Hale to the Olympic Park.
Hugh Sumner, Director of Transport at the Olympic Delivery Authority, said: 'Cycling is a fun and healthy way to get around at Games time. The ODA and its partners have made a significant investment to ensure London 2012 is a sustainable transport Games. All London 2012 venues are accessible by bike and free, secure, managed cycle parking will also be available at each location. During Games-time there will be more than 16,000 temporary cycle parking spaces for spectators at Games venues, with around 7,000 spaces serving the Olympic Park alone.'
Mark Foster, former Olympic swimmer and local resident, said: 'The range of services available to spectators walking or cycling to Games venues is great. I live locally and hope to cycle to the Olympic Park so will be testing out the cycle parking and possibly the cycle maintenance too!'
A revised map of the
London Cycle Guide for the Olympic Park and surrounding area is also available.
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