21 July 2011
REYKJAVIK, ICELAND, July 21, 2011 – Global medical device innovator
Össur congratulates
Oscar Pistorius for posting a personal best time of 45.07 sec. in the 400m, making him the first amputee sprinter in history eligible to compete in the International Assn. of Athletics Federations (IAAF)’s World Championships in Daegu, South Korea next month, and bringing him one step closer to realizing his dream of competing in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
A decorated Paralympic champion and
Team Össur member, Pistorius won the 400m event at the 19th Annual Meeting Internazionale di Atletica Sports Solidarity Meeting in Lignano, Italy on July 19. His posted time at the able-bodied competition ranks him as 15th fastest in the world, tied with Jermaine Gonzales of Jamaica. It also represents the first time Pistorius achieved the “A” qualification time required for eligibility on South Africa’s 2012 Olympic team.
“We salute Oscar Pistorius on his historic achievement. As both an athlete and role model, he has continually inspired us by personifying how to live life without limitations,” said Jon Sigurdsson, Össur president and CEO.
About The Blade Runner’s Blades
Often referred to as “blades”, Pistorius wears Össur’s
Flex-Foot Cheetah® running feet -- J-shaped, high-performance carbon composite prostheses that have led to his nickname as The Blade Runner. Considered the “gold standard” for elite amputee athletes, the Cheetah is a prosthetic foot with a unique design intended to mimic the reaction and functionality of an anatomical foot and ankle joint.
The prosthesis can be used by unilateral or bilateral (single or double) transtibial and transfemoral (above-knee and below-knee) amputees who wish to sprint on competitive or recreational levels.
Click here to see Oscar’s groundbreaking race.
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