Oscar Pistorius

Known as the Blade Runner, South African Oscar Pistorius is a double amputee who runs with the aid of carbon fibre artificial limbs. A high class paralympic athlete – he holds world records at 100 metres, 200 metres and 400 metres – Pistorius made an historic sporting breakthrough in 2007 when he competed in two non-disabled races. On July 13, Pistorius ran in the 400 metres at Rome’s Golden Gala and finished second with a time of 46.90 secs behind Stefano Braciola's time of 46.72 secs. Two days later at the Norwich Union British Grand Prix in Sheffield he finished seventh in 47.65 secs. Now Pistorius hopes to be able to compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.