Oscar Pistorius

Oscar Pistorius is a South African former professional sprinter, born on November 22, 1986, in Sandton, Johannesburg. Pistorius, who had both his legs amputated below the knee as a child, competed in events for below-knee amputees and able-bodied athletes. He is known for his remarkable speed and resilience, and despite his disability, he competed at the highest levels of sport, including the Olympic Games.

Pistorius began his athletic career in rugby before moving to running. He was the first amputee to win an able-bodied world track medal, a silver in the 4x400 meters relay at the 2011 World Championships in Athletics.

Off the track, Pistorius's life has been marked by controversy, notably his conviction for the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, in 2013.

Early Career

• After a knee injury in rugby, Pistorius began running as part of his rehabilitation and quickly found success. He competed in the 2004 Athens Paralympics, winning gold in the 200 meters and bronze in the 100 meters.

Rise to Prominence

• Pistorius's performance improved rapidly, and he set several world records. His use of prosthetic limbs led to controversy over whether they gave him an unfair advantage over able-bodied runners. The matter was eventually resolved in his favor by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Peak Career

• Pistorius reached the peak of his career when he qualified for the 2012 London Olympics, becoming the first double leg amputee to participate in the Olympic Games. However, he was not able to win a medal.

Downfall

• In 2013, Pistorius's career came to an abrupt end when he was charged with the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. He was convicted in 2014 and is currently serving a prison sentence.

Paralympics

• Pistorius participated in three Paralympic Games, winning a total of six gold medals, one silver, and one bronze.

Olympics

• In 2012, Pistorius became the first double leg amputee to compete in the Olympics. He reached the semi-finals of the 400 meters and the final of the 4x400 meters relay.

• Position: Sprinter, specializing in 200 meters, 400 meters, and 4x400 meters relay.
• Skills: Known for his exceptional speed, stamina, and the ability to compete with able-bodied athletes despite his disability.

• Family: Pistorius was born into a family with a history of limb abnormalities. His parents divorced when he was six, and his mother died when he was 15.
• Legal Issues: In 2013, Pistorius was charged with the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. He was convicted in 2014 and is currently serving a prison sentence.

• Oscar Pistorius's legacy is a complex one. On one hand, he is recognized as a trailblazer in sport, breaking barriers for disabled athletes. On the other hand, his conviction for murder has greatly tarnished his reputation.

Paralympic Medals:

• 6 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze

World Championships in Athletics:

• Silver in 4x400 meters relay

Books

• Pistorius, O. (2008) Blade Runner. London: HarperCollins.
• Rosenberg, J. (2014) The Oscar Pistorius Trial: A Carte Blanche Documentary. Johannesburg: MFBooks Joburg.

Websites

• International Paralympic Committee: Information about Oscar Pistorius’s Paralympic career and achievements. Available at: https://www.paralympic.org
• BBC Sport: Oscar Pistorius’s career in numbers. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics

Articles

• The Guardian: Oscar Pistorius’s career highlights and records. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/oscar-pistorius
• CNN: The rise and fall of Oscar Pistorius. Available at: https://edition.cnn.com/2013/02/14/sport/oscar-pistorius-profile

Documentaries

• Pistorius (2018): Directed by Vaughan Sivell. This four-part documentary provides a detailed look at Pistorius’s life and career, as well as his trial for murder.