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China makes golden history, Pistorious triumphs
Source: Agencies |
September 10, 2012, Monday
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CHINA on Saturday made history by lifting its Paralympic gold count to 95 at London 2012, refreshing the record of 89 set in Beijing 2008.
The record-breaking 95th gold medal was clinched by Xue Lei in the men's 100-meter-T11 final. Xue, 24, crossed the finish line in 11.17 seconds.
Meanwhile, at the very end of a groundbreaking dual-games summer, Oscar Pistorius was victorious at last in an individual sprint.
Just before the athletics facilities were dismantled at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday night, the man dubbed the "Blade Runner" tore around the track to easily defend his 400-meter title.
"It was very, very special for me - it was the last event of my season, it was the last event of the London 2012 Games," he said after winning in a Paralympic record of 46.68 seconds. "It was my 11th time I was able to come out on the track and I just wanted to end and give the crowd something they would appreciate and take home with them."
It was a victory of redemption and relief.
The icon of the Paralympic movement captivated the world at the start of last month when he became the first amputee sprinter to compete alongside able-bodied rivals at the Olympics.
The South African's appearance - reaching the finals of the 4x400 relay and semifinal in the 400 sprint - succeeded in breaking new ground, but the script hadn't gone to plan at the Paralympics until the final day of track and field action on Saturday.
The 100 and 200 titles were lost earlier this week in a blaze of fury as he became embroiled in public row with the new 200-meter champion Alan Oliviera, accusing the Brazilian of unfairly using lengthened blades.
After the apologies earlier in the week, Pistorius let his running to the talking, anchoring South Africa to victory in the 4x100 relay last Wednesday and collecting individual gold on Saturday.
"Sometimes there is disappointment, but that's what we look for in sport," Pistorius said. "We want it to be competitive and that's what it's been about."
With the last day of competition yesterday, China topped the table with 95 gold, 71 silver and 65 bronze medals.
Russia was second with 35 golds, ahead of Britain which had 33 golds.
The record-breaking 95th gold medal was clinched by Xue Lei in the men's 100-meter-T11 final. Xue, 24, crossed the finish line in 11.17 seconds.
Meanwhile, at the very end of a groundbreaking dual-games summer, Oscar Pistorius was victorious at last in an individual sprint.
Just before the athletics facilities were dismantled at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday night, the man dubbed the "Blade Runner" tore around the track to easily defend his 400-meter title.
"It was very, very special for me - it was the last event of my season, it was the last event of the London 2012 Games," he said after winning in a Paralympic record of 46.68 seconds. "It was my 11th time I was able to come out on the track and I just wanted to end and give the crowd something they would appreciate and take home with them."
It was a victory of redemption and relief.
The icon of the Paralympic movement captivated the world at the start of last month when he became the first amputee sprinter to compete alongside able-bodied rivals at the Olympics.
The South African's appearance - reaching the finals of the 4x400 relay and semifinal in the 400 sprint - succeeded in breaking new ground, but the script hadn't gone to plan at the Paralympics until the final day of track and field action on Saturday.
The 100 and 200 titles were lost earlier this week in a blaze of fury as he became embroiled in public row with the new 200-meter champion Alan Oliviera, accusing the Brazilian of unfairly using lengthened blades.
After the apologies earlier in the week, Pistorius let his running to the talking, anchoring South Africa to victory in the 4x100 relay last Wednesday and collecting individual gold on Saturday.
"Sometimes there is disappointment, but that's what we look for in sport," Pistorius said. "We want it to be competitive and that's what it's been about."
With the last day of competition yesterday, China topped the table with 95 gold, 71 silver and 65 bronze medals.
Russia was second with 35 golds, ahead of Britain which had 33 golds.
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