| BLADE RUNNER HOPING FOR BLADES BACKING |
BLADE RUNNER HOPING FOR BLADES BACKING
 Sheffield United’s campaign to bounce back to the Premiership has been given an inspirational lift from the man they call the Blade Runner.
Oscar Pistorius, the South African double amputee 100m, 200m and 400m world record holder, is known as the ‘fastest thing on no legs.’
The 20-year-old has set the paralympic world alight on his carbon fibre artificial limbs – known as blades – and will race at the Norwich Union British Grand Prix in Sheffield this Sunday (July 15).
Oscar is set to compete against the fastest man in the world, Jeremy Wariner, in a ground-breaking event and he hopes the Blades fans will turn out in force to support him at Don Valley stadium.
The Manchester United fan said: “It would be really cool if the Blades fans could come and support me. It is really ironic that I will be running there, what with my nickname.
“Although I would never change my football team, if I won the race I could probably wear a Blades shirt, especially if they come and support me. I have had the opportunity to see them play a few games but never seen them in a live game.”
The grit and determination Oscar has already shown makes him the perfect candidate to offer words of encouragement to Blades fans ahead of the new campaign.
He says: “They should stay focused and if it doesn’t come now they should carry on chasing it. Remember if you do not get it immediately then do not give up. They obviously have the potential and talent to be in the Premier League.”
New Blades boss Bryan Robson has given Oscar his backing and said: “We can talk about courage and determination all we like but at some point people like Oscar have to go out and prove it. When someone succeeds to this extent it shows what a remarkable thing the human spirit is.
“I hope as many Unitedites fans as possible support Oscar on Sunday – I’m sure that he will be the fastest thing in a Blades shirt this season!”
Pistorius has risen through the world of Paralympic sport and continues to believe that he will one day compete at an Olympic Games.
“I could have run whichever able bodied race in the world this year, but I think this is the one that I will learn the most from because I will run against the top guys – it’s going to be a brilliant, brilliant day,” said Oscar.
“My target is to run a personal best. The next single amputee runner is about ten metres behind me, so for me to be able to break into this field is definitely a first. By sharing in what they do I can learn a lot quicker from these guys.”
Tickets for the Norwich Union British Grand Prix at the Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield on Sunday (15th July) are available by phone on 0870 402 8000 or online at www.ukathletics.net/tvevents
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