Note: The verification e-mail to change your password should arrive immediately. However, in some cases it takes longer. Don't forget to check your spam folder. If you haven't received the e-mail in 24 hours, please contact customerservices ioppublishing. Thank you for registering with Physics World If you'd like to change your details at any time, please visit My account.
The athlete Oscar Pistorius made history in July when he became the first amputee sprinter to run alongside able-bodied athletes at the Olympic Games, competing in the m in both the individual and relay events in London.
Continuing his busy summer schedule, the South African sprinter is now at the Paralympic Games, also in the UK capital, where he is the defending champion in the m, m and m for his class. After winning the race, Kirani James of Grenada, who would eventually win gold in this event, immediately turned round to seek Pistorius, whom he embraced and made a point of exchanging name bibs with in a gesture of respect.
It was a powerful symbol that showed how Pistorius is fully accepted among his fellow competitors. However, the journey to becoming this celebrated Olympian has not always been an easy one for the 25 year old from Pretoria.
Pistorius has not always enjoyed such widespread support. In his ambition to compete alongside able-bodied athletes faced a major setback when he was banned from competing in all able-bodied athletics competitions by the International Association of Athletics Federations IAAF.
