Tag Archives: Oscar Pistorious

Passion Week 9: The Greatest Moment of 2012

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Up to this point my passion blog was about finding defining moments of the games that stood out in general, and evaluating their significance. This post is different. This post is about my single most defining moment of these London games. Forget Phelps, Lochte, Bolt, Douglas, Raismann, Wiggins, Ennis, Morgan, Wombach, Richards-Ross, or any of the “heros” of the games. For me, London 2012 was all about one exchange.

After completion of the second semifinal of the men’s 400 meters, two men, who could not have been more opposite of one another, came together to share a moment captured on camera for the world. Kirani James of Grenada approached Oscar Pistorius of South Africa immediately after crossing the finish line to ask Pistorius for his racer’s bib. James wanted it is as a keepsake, displaying his tremendous respect of Pistorius, and the incredible sportsmanship he displays in competition.

I mentioned the two could not have been more opposite. Kirani James had just won the semifinal easily, while Pistorius labored to finish in last place. Yet James was the one asking for memorabilia. Why? I don’t like to assume, but it’s safe in this case to assume that it’s because Oscar Pistorius has no legs. A double-amputee below each knee since before he was a year old, Pistorius broke glass ceilings one-after-another on his way to competing against the able-bodied elite at London. Oscar was a champion before he even started running in London, and Kirani James knew that. Kirani celebrated this by taking Oscar’s bib and holding it high over his head for the world to see the real champion before them; not the man who came in first, the man who came in last.

How else are the two different? James is from Grenada, Pistorius from South Africa. Coming into the 2012 games, Grenada had never won an Olympic medal, of any color. South Africa has enjoyed Olympic success for a century.

The last difference between the two men is perhaps what makes James’ actions so incredible. Oscar Pistorius is 25 years old, but Kirani James is only 20. By the standards of many, James is still just a kid. Just a kid with ability completely unmatched combined with the sportsmanship of a seasoned veteran.

I hardly need to explain how this moment embodies the Olympic spirit because it is so perfect. The combination of James’ victory, Pistorius’ incredible journey just to compete, the unity of two men from completely different worlds, and the sportsmanship associated with this highest level of competition make this moment, for me, the cornerstone of the spirit of the London games.

If you were a keen observer or already knew about this, you would realize this was only a semifinal. The next day, James competed in the finals. It’s the icing on the cake for this story: James won the 400 meters final with ease, winning the first ever medal for his country. The 20-year-old put his island nation on his back, and sent them into euphoria as he ran his way to infamy.

James didn’t celebrate right away, though. He made sure to shake every competitor’s hand first.

Photo Credit:

http://speedendurance.speedenduranceco.netdna-cdn.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Kirani-James-Oscar-Pistorius_thumb.jpg

Athlete’s Ages found at:

www.London2012.com/athletes/

Passion Week 8: Against All Odds

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Perhaps the biggest story of the games this year had nothing to do with winning a medal. It had everything to do with one man competing against all the odds, against the wills of the world. The man making all the headlines at the games this year was Oscar Pistorius.

Like I said, Pistorius did not win an Olympic medal. In fact, he didn’t even compete in the finals. At first glance, the journey of this amazing runner from South Africa ended when he crossed the finish line in his semifinal heat last. But, this isn’t about a normal man or a normal runner.

To this point, I have failed to mention the most important detail of his story. Pistorius is a paraplegic. Born without legs, Pistorius never felt himself disadvantaged, just different. Maybe that’s why he could compete with the best athletes in the world at the Olympics. He didn’t care that he was the only one without legs; an important component to running. He didn’t care that he wasn’t supposed to be there, or that he wasn’t supposed to be able to compete on the same level as able bodied individuals.

Not only did Pistorius defy the odds in just being in London, he defied the critics once he got there. Oscar was criticized by many pundits who believed his legs gave him a competitive advantage. How they could assert this I don’t know, two stocks of carbon fiber could never compare to the beautiful assimilation of bone and muscle that make up the lower legs. But they did. And Pistorius, like he always was, didn’t listen, and went on his way.

Pistorius represented his country, and he did it against the odds. Now an international symbol of overcoming adversity, Pistorius ran himself into the history of the Olympics and into the hearts of viewers everywhere; all before he took a single step.