The “Blade Runner”, who is perhaps the world’s most recognisable Paralympic athlete, has never competed in the capital  before but he will now run in the Crystal Palace T44 400 metres race as part of his preparations for London 2012 where he hopes to compete in the Olympics as well as the Paralympics. 

And the 23-year-old, who has four Paralympic gold medals to his name, admits he is excited to be making his London bow in the Diamond League event. 

Pistorius said: "This will be my first time competing in London and I am really looking forward to it.

"I know that the Aviva London Grand Prix is a fantastic event with a great atmosphere and I’m really looking forward to taking to the track and pushing myself to get a good result against what I know will be a great field of elite athletes. 

"It’s still my aim to reach the London Olympics and I’m on good form to do so.

"It will be great to have a taste of a massive sporting event in London before the big event in two years time. 

I’m obviously aiming for a good time at London, the track is particularly quick so will aid my speed and I know that the crowd will be supporting me to run faster."

Pistorius is due to arrive in the UK later this week to compete in the BT Paralympic World Cup in Manchester which is the largest multi-sport elite disability competition outside the Paralympic Games. 

He said: "I always enjoy competing in Manchester and I’m hoping that a good performance there will lead to a great result in London a couple of months later."

Tickets for the Aviva London Grand Prix at the Crystal Palace August 13 and 14 are available by phone on 08000 556 056 or online by clicking here. 

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected] 


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