Oscar Leonard Carl Pistorius (/pɪsˈtɔriəs/; born 22 November 1986) is a South African sprint runner. Although both of Pistorius' legs were amputated below the knee when he was 11 months old, he has competed in events for single below-knee amputees and for able-bodied athletes.After becoming a Paralympic champion, Pistorius attempted to enter able-bodied international competition, over persistent objections of the IAAF and charges that his artificial limbs gave an unfair advantage. Pistorius eventually prevailed in this legal dispute. At the 2011 World Championships in Athletics, Pistorius became the first amputee to win an able-bodied world track medal. At the 2012 Summer Olympics, Pistorius became the first double leg amputee to participate in the Olympics when he entered the men's 400 metres and 4 × 400 metres relay races. At the 2012 Summer Paralympics, Pistorius won gold medals in the men's 400-metre race and in the 4 × 100 metres relay, setting world records in both events. He also took silver in the 200-metre race, having set a world record in the semifinal.In February 2013, Pistorius fatally shot his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, in his Pretoria home. He said he had mistaken Steenkamp for an intruder, but he was arrested and charged with murder. At his trial in 2014 he was found guilty of culpable homicide. In October 2014, Pistorius received a five-year prison sentence for culpable homicide (and a concurrent three year suspended prison sentence for a separate reckless endangerment conviction).
Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability, BBC Sports Personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award, Order of Ikhamanga, Whang Youn Dai Achievement Award
Nominations
Laureus World Sports Award for Breakthrough of the Year, Best Male Athlete with a Disability ESPY Award
Star Sign
Sagittarius
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Quote
1
You're not disabled by the disabilities you have, you are able by the abilities you have.
2
The first time you win an award is an unforgettable moment. You are enveloped in a warm buzz of emotions - pride, happiness and the acute sense of recognition that comes from applause from your loved ones. It is addictive, almost like a drug - but a positive drug, pushing you forward to greater success.
3
My mother used to tell us, 'Carl, put on your shoes. Oscar, put on your prosthetic legs.' So I grew up not thinking I had a disability. I grew up thinking I had different shoes.
He has been appointed as an Ambassador to the Mineseeker Foundation and the Sole of Africa, a campaign dedicated to detecting and removing land mines in Africa. The Foundation's patrons include Nelson Mandela, Sir Richard Branson, Queen Noor and Brad Pitt.
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Good Morning America
2014
TV Series
Himself
First: The Official Film of the London 2012 Olympic Games