Olympics: A 'dream come true' for Oscar Pistorius

The South African says his London Olympic experience was both 'phenomenal' and 'humbling', and Russian's Sergey Kirdyapkin accomplishes what he set out to do by winning a gold medal.

Oscar Pistorius says running the anchor leg for the South Africa 4x400m relay was an honour but 'quite stressful. I never get that much responsibility'.

LONDON // Oscar Pistorius might have seen his South Africa relay team's Olympic medal hopes go up in smoke, but the history-making double amputee described his Games experience as "phenomenal" and "humbling".

Pistorius, who had both legs amputated below the knee before he was age one because of a congenital condition, is known as the "Blade Runner" because he runs on carbon fibre blades.

The 25 year old was cleared four years ago to run against able-bodied athletes when the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) overturned a ruling by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) that his blades gave him an unfair advantage.

His participation in the London Olympics was a first ever for a double amputee, although his team finished last in the 4x400m relay final on Friday.

"The whole experience was phenomenal for us," Pistorius said. "To step out here for an Olympic final is more than I could ever have hoped for. It's been a truly humbling experience.

"Representing my country and knowing I have to bring back home the baton meant I ran a lot harder. It's always an honour to be the anchor, although quite stressful. I never get that much responsibility. I ran a very good back straight.

"It's a dream come true."

Attention will now turn to the Paralympics, and he said was "really looking forward to them. I think they will be the best ever. It makes me stoked to come out here in this stadium again."

Russian ‘came here to win the gold’ and accomplishes goal

Russia’s Sergey Kirdyapkin set a new Olympic record as he won the 50km race walk on Saturday.

The two-time world champion, 32, clocked 3 hours, 35 minutes, 59 seconds to beat Australia’s Jared Tallent, who took a second successive silver, by 54 seconds.

Of his success, Kirdyapkin said: “I came here to win the gold medal, breaking the Olympic record just happened. I am very happy. I can’t put it into words at the moment. I only have emotions.”

Si Tianfeng gave China their first Olympic medal in the event as he took the bronze, and said: “I am proud of myself, no pain no gain as they say".

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