Pistorius Confirms BT Paralympic World Cup Participation

“I can’t over emphasize the importance of competing in the UK just months before the Olympics and Paralympics arrive in London.”

South African “Blade Runner” Oscar Pistorius has declared his participation at the BT Paralympic World Cup in May an “essential step” in his bid for Olympic and Paralympic glory later this year.

The 25-year-old will compete in the T43/44 100m and 200m in Manchester, Great Britain on 22 May, and he will come into the event on the back of a whirlwind 2011.

Despite falling to USA’s Jerome Singleton in the 100m finals at the 2011 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletics World Championships, he scooped gold in the 200m, 400m and 4x100m Relay T42-46.

He also came out on top in the 100m and 400m distances at last year’s BT Paralympic World Cup and became the first amputee to win a world track medal at the IAAF World Championships. He helped South Africa take silver in the 4x400m relay.

Pistorius is confident he can have even more success on the track this season and re-establish his position as the world’s top sprinter.

“While I've competed in the UK many times, and in many ways consider it my second home, it will be hugely advantageous to get some race experience there in the run-up to London 2012, particularly in such a strong event,” Pistorius said in a BT press release.

“I can’t over emphasize the importance of competing in the UK just months before the Olympics and Paralympics arrive in London.”

Great Britain’s 18-year-old sprinter Jonnie Peacock will be one of Pistorius’ main challengers in Manchester, and the two have been closely acquainted since first facing each other back in 2010.

“I always love lining up against Oscar,” Peacock told BT in a press release. “Not only is he a fantastic athlete, but he’s a great person to be around, especially if you are a young sportsman.

“He’s always very willing to give encouragement and tips, so it will be fantastic to learn from him once again at the BT Paralympic World Cup.

The 100m showcase will give fans a glimpse of what they will see at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

“The men’s T44 100m at the Paralympics is going to be the race of the Games and is one of our strongest classes together with men’s T54 racing,” IPC President Sir Philip Craven said.

“At last year’s World Championships, all finishers were under 12 seconds and just 0.09 seconds separated first and fourth place, so the fans in Manchester are sure to witness a thrilling race.”

Pistorius is bound to drum up plenty of excitement in what will be a year to remember in the Paralympic Movement.

“I’ve been waiting a long time for 2012 to come around and I’m so excited it’s now here,” Pistorius said. “The Olympics and Paralympics will be the pinnacle in many athletes’ careers and I'm determined to make it a year I’ll never forget.”

Competitions in Wheelchair Basketball, Football 7-a-Side, Boccia and Sitting Volleyball will also take place at the BT Paralympic Cup, which runs from 22-26 May.

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Caption

Oscar Pistorius wins the 2012 Laureus Award.