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"Blade Runner" Redefines What is Possible
Have you ever thrown in the towel prematurely? That is, have you given up on something before giving it your all? Many have, myself included.....but, no one can accuse double-amputee South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius of this. Dubbed the "Blade Runner," twenty-four year old Pistorius uses carbon fiber prosthetic blades made by Ossur to compete in the 100, 200 and 400 meters sprint categories. He is a Paralympic gold medalist in these same events and the Paralympic world record-holder in the 400 meters, with a time of 45.61, which he set last month at South Africa's Provincial Championships in Pretoria.
Pistorius was born without the fibula (a bone in the lower leg) in both legs; therefore, his legs were amputated below the knee when he was just 11 months old. He aspires to compete against able-bodied runners in this year's IAAF World Championships and the 2012 London Olympics. He will get his shot at achieving the qualifying time of 45.25 for these race goals on June 11, 2011 when he makes his debut at the Adidas Grand Prix in New York, according to yesterday's press release by the organizers.
At the June 11 event, Pistorius is expected to compete against three-time Olympic gold medalist Jeremy Wariner. In the press release, Pistorius states "I expect the race to be a challenge and one that I am looking forward to.....I have no doubt there will be athletes running 44s, but if this is where I aspire to be I need to run against the best. Running in New York will be a great honor for me; it has an exceptional history from track in the U.S. and I'm very excited for it." Pistorius' sentiment and accomplishments are an inspiration. He is creating the possible for himself out of what many would deem the impossible.
Often we call it quits too soon and end up falling short of what "could be." The lesson to be learned is that your limitations do not define you or what you can accomplish; rather, you have a choice in setting what your limits will be--strive to create the possible from the impossible.
References
Ossur: Life Without Limitations
Samsung Diamond League News: "Blade Runner" Oscar Pistorius to Compete in New York
Pistorius was born without the fibula (a bone in the lower leg) in both legs; therefore, his legs were amputated below the knee when he was just 11 months old. He aspires to compete against able-bodied runners in this year's IAAF World Championships and the 2012 London Olympics. He will get his shot at achieving the qualifying time of 45.25 for these race goals on June 11, 2011 when he makes his debut at the Adidas Grand Prix in New York, according to yesterday's press release by the organizers.
At the June 11 event, Pistorius is expected to compete against three-time Olympic gold medalist Jeremy Wariner. In the press release, Pistorius states "I expect the race to be a challenge and one that I am looking forward to.....I have no doubt there will be athletes running 44s, but if this is where I aspire to be I need to run against the best. Running in New York will be a great honor for me; it has an exceptional history from track in the U.S. and I'm very excited for it." Pistorius' sentiment and accomplishments are an inspiration. He is creating the possible for himself out of what many would deem the impossible.
Often we call it quits too soon and end up falling short of what "could be." The lesson to be learned is that your limitations do not define you or what you can accomplish; rather, you have a choice in setting what your limits will be--strive to create the possible from the impossible.
References
Ossur: Life Without Limitations
Samsung Diamond League News: "Blade Runner" Oscar Pistorius to Compete in New York
Labels: Adidas Grand Prix, Blade Runner, Oscar Pistorius, Ossur, Paralympic gold medalist
posted by Cindy Haskin-Popp at
5:03 PM
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