London – Double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius has arrived in London ahead of his historic debut at the Olympics.
The South African 400-meter runner will be the first amputee to compete on the track at any games and says he feels “a mixture of pride, happiness and anticipation.”
Pistorius tells The Associated Press via email he hopes the London Olympics will be “an incredible few weeks of my life.”
Pistorius adds it felt like “a long time coming” after he had to fight to qualify on his carbon fiber blades.
Pistorius was cleared to compete against able-bodied athletes in 2008 after taking his case to sport's highest court. He ran two Olympic qualifying times over the past 12 months.
He will compete in the 400 and 4x400 relay and arrived on the day of the opening ceremony. – Sapa-AP