Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Oscar Pistorius says he plans to take able-bodied runners at world championships in Berlin

From USA Today:

LONDON — Double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius hopes to compete against the top stars at the world championships in Berlin, embarking on a demanding schedule as he returns to competition after a February boating accident.

After failing to make the qualifying times for last year's Beijing Olympics, the South African won three gold medals in the Paralympics a month later.

Now Pistorius is again pursuing the best able-bodied athletes. In a bid to make the qualifying times for the Aug. 15-23 worlds, he will run at Golden League meets in Oslo and Rome as well several other European events.

"We are working quite hard towards Berlin and I want to get in some competitive races before that in Europe and hopefully the times will come down," Pistorius told The Associated Press by telephone from Manchester, where he is competing this week in the Paralympic World Cup. "I hope to qualify for the 400 meters but also the relay."

The 22-year-old runner must have a qualifying time of 45.95 for the individual 400, for which his personal best is 46.23. He needs a relay time of 45.55.