The Fastest Man with no Legs.

Oscar Pistorious has worn prosthetic legs since he was 11 months old. Born without a fibula in either leg, his legs were amputated just below his knees. But not having natural legs did not stop Pistorious from using his body to compete. Last May, he won three gold medals in the Paralympics for 100 m, 200 m, and 400 m events. Those are only a few of his accomplishment as a competitive runner. You can’t stop a born athlete. Not even a ban on his participation in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing can break Pistorious’ determination.

In January 2008, the International Associations of Athletic Federations, which governs athletics internationally, said that Pistorious had an unfair advantage over athletes without prosthetic limbs. After a series of tests examining the difference between a leg and the carbon-fibre prosthetic legs used by Pistorious, the IAAF stated that the limbs prevented Pistorious from expending the same amount of energy other athletes expend competing in the same events.

Pistorious has appealed the ruling and still hopes to compete in the Olympics. But even if the final answer is no, he will continue to race in other events. He refuses to let the ruling break his spirits or his commitment to running.
In the words of Pistorious, “You’re not disabled by the disabilities you have, you are able by the abilities you have.”

Watch a news clip covering the IAAF desicion.