Audio interview w/ Oscar Pistorius, the amputee runner on the verge of making history
Posted by Kai Von Pannier at 17 February 2007, 4:19 PM and is filed under uncategorized 
Dear Colleagues,
I wanted to inform you that the newest installment (Episode 16) of
TheFinalSprint.com's Podcast Show is now available and it features an
exclusive interview with Oscar Pistorius, a young South African runner
who is on the verge of becoming the first amputee to ever qualify for
the able-bodied Olympics. Unfortunately, even if he qualifies, he may
still be denied to chance to compete.
I encourage you to listen to the podcast and to please share it with
your readers and other contacts. Here is the direct link to
play/download the interview and/or subscribe to our podcast feed:
In the 45-minute exclusive interview, Oscar discusses his life,
historic achievements, the controversy, how he deals with the critics
and the possibility of him redefining society's concept of human
potential.
Any and all feedback from you and/or your readers regarding the
podcast is greatly appreciated.
Thanks again and please feel free to call and/or email me if there is
anyway that I can assist you, your publication and/or organization.
Take care,
Adam Jacobs
I have listened to this interview a couple of times now and I can honestly say that Oscar is a very extraordinary and incredible guy. With all that he has done in his life and the running he should be admired for the courage and bravery that goes with his every day life as an amputee and should be admired and not ridiculed about wanting to qualify for the able bodied Olympics in 2008 instead we should all be looking towards him as a history maker in his field (excuse punn sorry!). Rather than somebody who fails. For Oscar is not a failier never was and never will be.
So please look upon this brave and courageous and determined young man with pride, admiration and inspirational thoughts and wish him luck in 2008 as well as present year 2007. Oscar is a winner.
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Dear Caron Thanks for our comment and I have passed it onto Oscar. You are absolutley spot on with what you write. I only wish that there were more people like him in this universe. Not only does he have the qualites you mention, but when you meet him, he has a very keen sense of humur and huge amounts of compassion for those less fortunate. Sincerely Kai
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Thank you
I am British and live in the uk. I have been watching Oscar's progress for nearly 2 years and the more I see the more I admire him and what he is doing for the sport and disabled people everywhere. He is showing that there is no such word as'can't' do it. He has age and disipline on his side and the help of friends, family and his coach. The courage he shows in his daily life and his training knows no boundaries. Oscar is a unique character who has be honoured by his country and there are more to come where that came from I dare say.
I glad to know he has a sense of humour, that probably also helps him.
Good luck Oscar
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is there I way to write to Oscar, fan mail anything like that etc. I am looking at this story as something I would like to cover in a newsletter addressing advocacy for disability.
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Hi Amanda
Yes you can get a message to Oscar, unfortunately we are not able to give his email out, but if yoy email us at info@thesoleofafrica.org.za, we will make sure that he gets it !
Best
Kai
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Oscar's story is amazing! I would like to say that I noticed that a British runner - I think his name was Richard Whitehead - finished the Comrades Marathon last Sunday. He is a double amputee... and ran the Comrades on metal "legs" exactly the same as those used by Oscar. Unbelievable achievement!
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Oscar is an incredible human being. He is brave courageous and determined. He will not give up and has rather a lot of fans behind him in his quest to run in the Olympics. I say he will.
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Osacr is certainly attracting a lot of media attention over this and really making the Olympic body scratch their heads. It just goes to show, that everyone has always just 'assumed' that this situation would never arise.
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That may be so. The position has arisen and who better than Oscar to acheive it. Because he is such a role model for people he is in the forefront. His bravery and courage have never been in question as is the determination he shows with every race. He is much much better and faster than any of his Paralympic counterparts. So no wonder he wants to run in the Olympics. He will do it. He's up for the challenge. A young man to be admired I think. And the media seem to like Oscar because he is articulate and friendly. He's a winner!!!
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Now we have the news that Oscar will be able to run. It is a relief to him and now he can continue in his quest to qualify for the Olympics without any intervention. The Cheetahs do not give him an advantage. If anything its the other way round! Oscar himself gives the blades the advantage he makes them look like they are. its all down to him and the fact he has been like he is since he was 11 months old. He is incredible on both sets of legs.
And its him and not the cheetahs that have the advantage. He uses the blades as a means to sprint round a track at an alarming speed and good luck to him. He deserves all the luck and success that is being brought to him at the moment. Oscar keep smiling!!!
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It is great news and an amazing breakthrough, however I don't think that the controversy will be over. There will still be those who doubt that Oscar does not have an advantage. When I frist met him he made an interesting point - that at the start he cannot make use of starting blocks, putting him at a distinct disadvantage in the first few seconds...
We at the Sole our behind him all the way, as Oscar says ' I don't hhave a disability, I just don't have legs !
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I think considering the problems he does have coming out the blocks, he doesn't do so badly when he gets going. Oscar has been like he is since he was 11 months old, he is so unselfconscious of it and the incredible thing is that he has helped incourageing me to do something I have not done quite so easily before. He is an incredible young man who inspires people where ever he goes and where ever he is seen.
I have watched him run there is no advantage as far as my untrained eye sees except that his upper legs are moving faster than anybody elses and the speed he excelerates at is far beyond anything that is run by any other amputee. So its all him and not the blades that make him faster than anybody else. He deserves this. Please can you wish him good luck with all the meetings he attends. not all be on tv for me to watch. thanks.
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Caron, I will send Oscar an email on your behalf! Many thanks for contributing to this blog
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Thanks Kai,
Please can you also tell him that in a roundabout sort of way he has inspired me to loose weight easily as my last note said and also given me the power of self willpower to keep going as I have lost 14 kilos in 9 weeks (29pounds)
I thank him for being the person that he is and that he inspires people in all walks of life doing anything. I use the phrase I use when I tell people about how long it took me to pass my driving test (9years and 7tests) If I can do it anybody can and if I may Quote Oscar a couple of years ago he said in an advert, 'Have the courage to believe in yourself'. He has!! quite a lot of Courage! I have never felt like I do before. The elation is great and I've had a weighty problem for years and tried to loose it and it hasn't been easy and I said I didn't have the willpower. Where has the willpower I now have come from? But I have heafty amouts of it. I hope I haven't gone on to much I tend to ramble on a bit!!sorry! Thanks again.
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Hi Caron, Kai has assigned me the pleasurable task of monitoring the Put Your Foot Down blog so I will attempt to fill his rather large boots while "putting my foot down" and treading rather lightly at the same time! I was very heartened by what you wrote about Oscar being an inspiration for you and empowering you re your challenge to lose weight. You are so right: I believe people such as Oscar help us to believe that we too can overcome adversity in our lives. They are a shining example of the strength that is within all of us and challenge us to draw upon that strength to accomplish our goals. Oscar is a true role model for us and many others... losing 14kg in nine weeks is a formidable achievement - clearly you found the courage to believe in yourself! By this, you too are an inspiration to others... thank you! Warmest wishes, Howard.
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Hi Howard,
Thank you for replying. I will very quickly explain. I am type 2 diabetic with an Obesity problem and until this Low Calorie Liquid Diet the Hospital put me on to was unable to keep it under control. I needed help to help myself. I also tried to loose weight and couldn't. I have not worked for 18 months and had got myself in a rut. But now I'm feeling wonderful dare I say it ready to take on the job market here in the UK. It took a while but that phrase of Oscar's really finally helped get my head in gear to literally save my life to sound a bit melodramatic about it so its thanks to Oscar and his outlook on life that saved the day when I finally got my head round it.
I am so pleased that the ruling was lifted and Oscar can run until they find evidence that the cheetahs give Oscar an advantage but they won't find it. I am convinced that it is all him. He uses those cheetahs to the point where they look like they give him an advantage but I think that is only what Oscar has physically himself done to them not the legs themselves. So tell him to keep up the good work and good luck again. He is going to knock the able bodied for six!!!etc!!
bye
take care Caron
P.S. I am now on proper foods again!!!
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I can't believe that I actually found a website that can get in touch with the famous Oscar. I hae been looking for a site like this for ages. I have been tracking Oscars' running for years now ad I think the first race i watched him in was when he was 16. I've never admired one person so much and I'm so pleased that he has been allowed to run with the able bodied runners. I watch all types of athletics even though I'm not an athletic person myself, and no-one leaves me as happy and inspired as he does. Do you know when he will be running in the UK next even if it's just for training? It's like a life dream to go and see him run in the flesh. I want to go and see him with my grandmother (she got me into the athletics)because se loves him aswell and I would love to be able to travel with her and make her day by seeing him run. If you could please get back in touch about when he is running in the UK next please.
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Hi Jennifer
I have been Interested in Oscar for over 2 years now. He is an extraordinary human being and the world should be better off knowing there is somebody like him out there with the powers of inspiration like he has. It doesn't hurt South Africa for that matter either! Yes Oscar will be running here in Sheffield on July 15 there are quite a lot of articles that say so. So I thought I would tell you. Hopefully rain sogged Sheffield will be dried out in time for Oscar to do his stuff. He has also an extraordinary view to life which in itself is inspiring. He is unique and a one off and I always wish him good luck. Oscar has fought so hard to get to this point I really admire his resolve. He doesn't give up does he?! NO!
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I live up in Newcastle and would love to come and see him run. Thank you for telling me. I don't know if my grandmother will be able to join me but I still wish to come and see him. I hope Sheffield is dry in time for his races. It's nice to know that there are other people in the world who admire him in the same way that I do.
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Hi Jennifer
I first saw Oscar on 'A Question of Sport'. I thought he looked young and what did he do to be on the programme as I had started watching half way through. I watched the repeat the following night and after seeing what he had done I decided I wanted to find out more so I surfed the net for info and the more I read about Oscar the more I admired him for his courage, bravery and determination. And now he is not disappointing his supporters is he. It's a lot to live up to though. He has worked very hard to be where he is today and yet again I wish him good luck.
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Hi Caron!
I remember the first time I saw Oscar race and I'm positive it was one of his first main races and he was only 16. he has come a very long way in 5 years and deserves the best in life. i don't often search the net for the lives of people purely because there are so many websites and they all tell you different things but when i searched for Oscar there were barely any sites about him and i was quite disappointed but then again who would want their personal lives plastered all over the Internet. on the other hand what i have found out about Oscar has made me admire him more. it is a lot to live up to as you said but he will come through for himself and his avid fans. this will probably be one of my last messages until later on or tomorrow, I'm severely ill and need to eat,drink and sleep.lol
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Hi Caron!
Thankyou for telling me where and when Oscar will be running, but I am sorry to say that I will not be able to attend on the basis that I'm skint and I have asked around for friends and family to take me down (because I can't drive) but they said no because of who Oscar is and what he does. I am really disappointed (beyond belief). Are you going to watch him race???
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Hi Jennifer I hope to watch it might well be on bbc1 or 2 but don't quote me look in the tv books for confirmation. Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't your friends being a bit anti towards this incredible young man. Tell them to read about Oscar in the articles on the web and then that should change their view on him. He is the bravest and most courageous person I have ever known about and the thing that makes it all the more incredible is that what Oscar says about himself. 'I am not disabled I just don't have any legs.'!
Did you watch the visa world cup in May I did. Ok he had a little slip but I think he is made of India rubber!!
Do you think it helps also that he isn't the ugliest man to run round a race track?
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I'm so disappointed about my friends and my family. It breaks my heart to know that they think like that. I really want to go and see him but money problems rule at the minute. I have tried to make them see differently, but its thier loss not mine if they aren't more open to the world. I didnt watch the visa world cup, one of my family members has been ill. You're right about him not being the ugliest man on the track. when I first watched him race i thought he was so handsome but it was just a childhood fancy. He is good looking but it's not as if i'd eer meet him. I'm hapy enough watching him run.
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Hi Jennifer
Here we have a young man who is so unselfconscious about himself. If it doesn't worry him it shouldn't worry us. I admire the way he has gone about his life and what he says about himself we should think like that because he does. I think the telling factor of his looks is that smile!!!
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Every time i've felt down I think of him and how unselfconscious he is and i instantly feel better. He does have a lovely smile. I like his accent!
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Hi Jennifer
Do you have an email address. We can continue conversing that way. Yes I like the SA accent too.
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joanneclaire748@hotmail.com
forgive the address it has nothing to do with my name and it often confuses people. it was an olf friends till she stopped using it.
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Yes we do need a lot more people in this world like Oscar. He is unique in his thoughts and his make up and now that he his going to be running in open races he is going to shine but I do not want to put pressure on him. Here is a guy who has it all except full legs but you do not hear of him moaning about it or feeling sorry for himself and he won't let you either (from what i can understand from what I have read). The look on his face when he found out that they were going to let him run was a picture and now he can concentrate on the future. The cheetahs do not give Oscar any advantage from what my untrained eye can see. What I can see is that its Oscar that makes them work so well for him. The single amputees can only run as fast and their normal leg can take them. Oscar deceives though doesn't mean to because he hasn't any normal legs. He uses his upper legs and his lower body to generate the speed and power and is incredible and extraordinary in his manner. He deserves the success he is getting and is a big role model and inspiration to a lot of people even me in my quest to loose weight. So Oscar I wish you good luck and I hope that you will have fun as well when you are let loose on the soggy hills of Sheffield UK.
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I'm a deaf American. I read an article about Oscar this evening. I do believe that he has the rights to run in the Olympics. Many people who aren't physically disabled tend to look away.. I have played many different sports and my hearing loss did get in the way. I was ignored many times just because I couldn't hear. Go Oscar.. You can do it! =)
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Ok Oscar lost but he is still a winner in my book and he has grown up a bit! At 20 he looks older and yes he is a nice guy who has been made to feel frustrated by the IAAF so no doubt he does feel like he does for a reason. Anywya I still wish him Good luck in his quest and am on his side to run and knock the socks of the rest of the field.
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Hi everybody, finally i found a website that can get in touch with Pistorius. I’m happy for it!! I’m an italian boy and i want ask sorry if my english is bad, i have to improve it. I watched Oscar on tv some months ago and i thought that he is a wonderful guy. He is a golden boy and his character is amazing. He has a splendid mind and his heart is big. I study orthopedic technical at University in Rome and when i saw his pictures and movies i became his fan. I know that he likes more sports, and his favourite football club is S.S.Lazio (like me). I would like to invite Oscar in Rome for watch the big match Lazio vs Roma on the next year. I wish realize this dream. I know that this initiative is very difficult and hard but i want try anyway. Hope i’ll succeed to be in contact with Oscar Pistorius. Hope you can help me
Best regards
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I was wondering if you would pass on to Oscar my good wishes for his 21st Birthday next thursday 22nd November. I know I'm early but I shall be out of the country soon.
So in Birthday tradition
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to Oscar
Happy Birthday to you!!etc.,
Seriously I do wish Oscar a very happy 21st Birthday and the best of luck for the coming, very important, year ahead.
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