ID :
202226
Fri, 08/19/2011 - 04:14
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/202226
The shortlink copeid
Amputee sprinter Pistorius appreciative of fan support
JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 19 (Yonhap) -- Oscar Pistorius, the amputee sprinter set to compete at the upcoming World Championships in Athletics in South Korea, said he was appreciative of fan support from around the world.
In an email interview with Yonhap News Agency, Pistorius of South Africa, said he will do his best to return the love at the Aug. 27-Sept. 4 championships in Daegu, 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul.
"I am very lucky to get letters and messages from people from all over the world including South Korea," Pistorius said. "And my message would be, 'Thank you for your support and I look forward to competing to the best of my ability in Daegu.'"
The 24-year-old, dubbed "Blade Runner" for his carbon fiber artificial legs, has qualified for the men's 400 meters and 4x400-meter relay. He will be the first amputee athlete to compete at the top event by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
The following is a Q-and-A with Pistorius.
Question: Can you tell us about your feelings heading into the world championships in Daegu?
Answer: I feel a great amount of pride and honor every time I represent South Africa and to be doing so in Daegu will be very special indeed. My thoughts have not really changed since the team announcement. I'm just focusing on my training and preparations to make sure that I perform to the best of my ability at the World Championships.
Q: Have you been to South Korea or have you heard about the country? Would you please talk about your image of South Korea?
A: I have never been to South Korea before but I am really looking forward to visiting later this month. Friends of mine who have visited say it a great country and I can't wait to see it for myself.
Q: South Korean people are excited to see you in Daegu. Could you give them a message?
A: I am very lucky to get letters and messages from people from all over the world including South Korea and my message would be, "Thank you for your support and I look forward to competing to the best of my ability in Daegu."
Q: What is your goal in Daegu? Who will be your main rival? What is your ultimate goal as a sprinter?
A: My goal is very simple really -- just to be the best athlete that I can be every time I race. I believe that in a sport like athletics, the most important person to compete against is yourself and if you keep on beating yourself, you will continue to improve. In Daegu, my main focus is to run as close to my personal best as possible.
Q: Could you speak about your inspiration in running?
A: My grandparents were when I was growing up as I was taught and encouraged that you can do anything in life that you set your heart and mind to.
Q: What was the most memorable experience in your life?
A: I have been very blessed to have experienced a lot of wonderful moments in my life but two that spring to mind are when I broke the Paralympic World Record and won gold in the 400 節?eter final in Beijing in 2008 to win my third gold medal, and also running 45.07 in Italy two weeks ago and qualifying for Daegu.
Q: Who do you most respect as a role model?
A: I have a lot of admiration for athletics greats including Michael Johnson and think that Colin Jackson and Frankie Fredericks are real role models for the sport in the way they conducted themselves so passionately and professionally. Off the track, I am a huge fan of (motorcycle racer) Valentino Rossi and take a lot of inspiration from his achievements.
Q: What do you have to say about the controversy over your artificial legs?
A: As far as I am concerned I have been cleared by the Court of Arbitration for Sport to compete in IAAF events and this includes the World Championships and Olympic Games. That is all I have to say on the subject.
Q: Do you have any words for disabled persons?
A: I have always said that, "You are not disabled by the disabilities you have, you are abled by the abilities you have."
In an email interview with Yonhap News Agency, Pistorius of South Africa, said he will do his best to return the love at the Aug. 27-Sept. 4 championships in Daegu, 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul.
"I am very lucky to get letters and messages from people from all over the world including South Korea," Pistorius said. "And my message would be, 'Thank you for your support and I look forward to competing to the best of my ability in Daegu.'"
The 24-year-old, dubbed "Blade Runner" for his carbon fiber artificial legs, has qualified for the men's 400 meters and 4x400-meter relay. He will be the first amputee athlete to compete at the top event by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
The following is a Q-and-A with Pistorius.
Question: Can you tell us about your feelings heading into the world championships in Daegu?
Answer: I feel a great amount of pride and honor every time I represent South Africa and to be doing so in Daegu will be very special indeed. My thoughts have not really changed since the team announcement. I'm just focusing on my training and preparations to make sure that I perform to the best of my ability at the World Championships.
Q: Have you been to South Korea or have you heard about the country? Would you please talk about your image of South Korea?
A: I have never been to South Korea before but I am really looking forward to visiting later this month. Friends of mine who have visited say it a great country and I can't wait to see it for myself.
Q: South Korean people are excited to see you in Daegu. Could you give them a message?
A: I am very lucky to get letters and messages from people from all over the world including South Korea and my message would be, "Thank you for your support and I look forward to competing to the best of my ability in Daegu."
Q: What is your goal in Daegu? Who will be your main rival? What is your ultimate goal as a sprinter?
A: My goal is very simple really -- just to be the best athlete that I can be every time I race. I believe that in a sport like athletics, the most important person to compete against is yourself and if you keep on beating yourself, you will continue to improve. In Daegu, my main focus is to run as close to my personal best as possible.
Q: Could you speak about your inspiration in running?
A: My grandparents were when I was growing up as I was taught and encouraged that you can do anything in life that you set your heart and mind to.
Q: What was the most memorable experience in your life?
A: I have been very blessed to have experienced a lot of wonderful moments in my life but two that spring to mind are when I broke the Paralympic World Record and won gold in the 400 節?eter final in Beijing in 2008 to win my third gold medal, and also running 45.07 in Italy two weeks ago and qualifying for Daegu.
Q: Who do you most respect as a role model?
A: I have a lot of admiration for athletics greats including Michael Johnson and think that Colin Jackson and Frankie Fredericks are real role models for the sport in the way they conducted themselves so passionately and professionally. Off the track, I am a huge fan of (motorcycle racer) Valentino Rossi and take a lot of inspiration from his achievements.
Q: What do you have to say about the controversy over your artificial legs?
A: As far as I am concerned I have been cleared by the Court of Arbitration for Sport to compete in IAAF events and this includes the World Championships and Olympic Games. That is all I have to say on the subject.
Q: Do you have any words for disabled persons?
A: I have always said that, "You are not disabled by the disabilities you have, you are abled by the abilities you have."
