In the 1978 movie Ice Castles, “Lexie” is a young and promising figure skater who suffers a career-ending injury and loses vision in both eyes. During her rehabilitation, the small town girl begins to regain her confidence and resolves to fulfill her dreams despite being blind. The movie ends with Lexie skating a flawless program and receiving an emotional standing ovation. Oscar Pistorius has undergone a similar journey. But in less than a month, he’ll be tested on the world stage with 1.7 billion people watching. The 25-year-old South African will become the first ever double amputee to compete in the Olympic Games. When Pistorius was less than a year old, he had both legs amputated halfway between the knees and ankles. On July 4, the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) announced that Oscar Pistorius qualified for his nation’s Olympic team. Pistorius originally qualified for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, but was eventually ruled ineligible due to his prosthetic legs. When a committee reversed its ruling, Pistorius was unable to re-qualify during trials.
Here we are, four years later.
This summer, 205 countries will send its very best athletes in the hopes of capturing Olympic glory. In London, Oscar Pistorius will face extreme competition against world-record holders Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell of Jamaica, and Tyson Gay of the United States.
He’ll compete in the 400 meters and the 4 x 400 meter relay race. However, these two events may be the only ones where medals won’t be the measure of success, nor capture the essence of human will.
In the case of Oscar Pistorius, as in Hollywood cinemas, it’ll be about a lifelong defiance of one’s limited physical abilities, and the desire to prevail despite truly impossible circumstances.
“Enthusiasm is the yeast that makes your hopes shine to the stars. Enthusiasm is the sparkle in your eyes, the swing in your gait. The grip of your hand, the irresistible surge of will and energy to execute your ideas.” – Henry Ford
