Pistorius plans able-bodied success for 2009

'Fastest man with no legs' aims for able-bodied success

By Ryan Bangs

_{^{BLADE RUNNER: Oscar Pistorius aims for success in able-bodied competition in 2009 (Getty Images)}}

Triple Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius has his sights set on an able-bodied invasion as he prepares for another golden 12 months on the track this year. 

The 22-year-old won the right to compete at IAAF sanctioned events including the Beijing Olympics last year after the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned a ban imposed on him by the governing body.

Pistorius dubbed the 'fastest man on no legs' failed to qualify for the Olympics in August but showed no bitterness claiming 100, 200 and 400m gold at the Paralympics one month later.

The accolades didn't stop there for the 22-year-old from Johannesburg - who broke his own 400m world record in the Bird's Nest - with his success seen to rival that achieved by able-bodied triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt.

Pistorius competed at his first international able-bodied event at a Golden League meet in Rome in 2007 finishing second in the 400m and the South African sprinter has vowed to make that the rule and not the exception in 2009.

"I am going to be doing far more able-bodied events this year and I want to make the most out of every competition that is thrown my way," said Pistorius - who claimed 100m bronze and 200m gold at the Athens Paralympics in 2004.

"I really enjoyed running at the South African trials last year and I think I proved a few things by doing so.

"Now I need to get as many meets as possible to try and lower my times in order to bring me closer to those guys who I finished behind.

"At 22 I am still young and I feel I have a lot left to accomplish be that in the Olympics or Paralympics.

"I haven't really changed - I am the same Oscar - I just have a bigger desire now. People have said some nice things to me and put me on the same level as some great sportsmen - I am just grateful for the talent I have got."

Outside of his able-bodied mission Pistorius has earmarked the newly sponsored BT Paralympic World Cup on a long list of events in 2009.

The South African missed the Games - held in Manchester - last year due to his legal campaign as British sprinter Ian Jones claimed the 100 and 200m titles he won in 2007.

Pistorius has been a star of the World Cup since its conception nearly four years ago, picking up the maiden 100 and 200m crowns - and the 22-year-old is expecting another flurry in May.

"I love competing in Manchester and it was a real shame I had to miss out last year due to my court commitments," he added.

"I lost my titles because of it and I can't wait to get back out there and win them back. I know I will be under a great deal of pressure now and everyone will be looking to shoot me down.

"But I am not expecting to win every single race - the Paralympic World Cup is a big aim for me and I will keep level headed even if I don't always perform well."