Overcoming Contingent Factors of Birth; The Oscar Pistorius Story

Pistorius getting off the starting blocks.

             The 2012 Summer Olympics was characterized by the “Fab 5” bringing home the gymnastics gold, Michael Phelps winning his record-setting 19^th Olympic medal, an extremely odd opening ceremony, and Usain Bolt retaining his title as “the fastest man in the world” by winning the 100-meter, 200-meter, and 4 X 100-meter titles, but perhaps the most inspiring storyline of the XXX Olympiad is attributed to a man who didn’t even win a medal. Oscar Pistorius is a 25 year old South African sprinter who ran the 400-meter dash at this summer’s Olympic games, but his time wasn't fast enough to qualify for the event final 

Pistorius was born without fibular bones in both of his legs, a condition called Fibular Hemimelia. Before turning 1 years old, both of his legs were amputated below his knees. Overcoming his birth condition, Pistorius became the first amputee runner to compete in the Olympics. But this is a story that almost never came to be.

           
             Pistorius attempted to qualify for the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing, but was denied the opportunity because of his prosthetic “blades.” In 2007, The International Association of Athletics Federation amended its rulebook to include the ban of prosthetic racing blades because the federation felt that it gave him a clear advantage over the other runners . Yes, you just heard that right. A man without real legs below the knee putting world-class athletes at a disadvantage. Something about that just doesn't seem right to me. Pistorius hadn’t intentionally amputated his legs to give himself an advantage over able-bodied runners. His legs, or lack there of, were a contingent factor of his birth, something he couldn’t help. The federation claimed that the ban wasn't necessarily aimed at Pistorius, and despite intense opposition, the rule went through. Nevertheless, Pistorius remained focused on his dream and kept fighting. He had won numerous Paralympic medals, but that was not enough for him, his dream was to compete on the world’s largest stage. He appealed this rule and late in 2008 the rule banning blades was revoked.

Fast forward to Summer 2012. Oscar Pistorius is competing on the track amongst able-bodied runners, and not only is he competing, but beating. Pistorius was also selected to carry the South African flag for his country through Olympic Stadium during the closing ceremonies. He has also opened doors for thousands of disabled athletes whose have the very same dream that he did.  History has seen a few disabled athletes make it in the professional sports realm, including Michigan’s own Nolan Ryan, but none who have been able to make the global impact that Pistorius has.  

James exchanging numbers with Pistorious.

In the semifinals of the 400-meter dash Pistorius came in last place finishing behind eventual event champion Kirani James of Grenada. In perhaps the most emotional moment of these Olympics, James took of his number and traded them with Pistorius, a unprecedented sign of tremendous respect. Pistorius was an underdog in the event and he may never win an Olympic medal, but his achievements will not be measured through his medal count. His impact off the tartan (correct term for the surface of a track) will far outweigh his quantifiable achievements.

Many people who suffer from contingent factors of birth accept them and try to live with them, but not Oscar. Oscar fought his birth conditions and overcame them. Oscar’s story is not only inspiring to disabled athletes, but also to anyone with a heart. Oscar was faced with an “I cannot” and proceeded to transform that  "I cannot" into an “I can” and an “I will.”