Related News
Pistorius snaps world record in heat, Smyth soars to gold
Source: AFP |
September 3, 2012, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
OSCAR Pistorius on Saturday began the defense of his three sprint titles with a bang, breaking the world record in the T44 200 meters, as Irish runner Jason Smyth became the fastest Paralympian in history over 100 meters.
Pistorius, who earlier this month became the first double-amputee to compete in the Olympics, stormed to victory in his heat at the Olympic Stadium in east London, clocking a new best of 21.30 seconds.
The 25-year-old said he was happy with the time - and the reception from the 80,000-strong crowd - but again played down expectations that he would complete the sprint clean-sweep. "I've done a world record tonight, so we'll see what happens, but the 100 isn't really my event."
Pistorius, nicknamed the "Blade Runner" because of his carbon fiber prostheses, will face Beijing silver medalist Jim Bob Bizzell, as well as his long-standing rival Jerome Singleton, both of the United States.
The race had been billed as the highlight of the evening's program, with Pistorius' participation in the 400 heats and 4x400 relay final at the Olympics making him the most high-profile athlete at the Games.
But Irish sprinter Smyth gave a stunning performance in the T13 100, streaking to victory in 10.46, breaking the previous world best of 10.54 that he set in qualifying.
The 25-year-old, who is visually impaired and like Pistorius also competes in non-disabled races, trains with US sprint star Tyson Gay in Florida.
There was more cheer for Ireland in the T37 category for athletes with cerebral palsy, as Michael McKillop retained his 800 title from Beijing in a new world record of 1:57.22.
Another record tumbled in the men's T38 100 as Australia's Evan O'Hanlon - once voted one of his country's most eligible bachelors by a fashion magazine - lowered the previous best by 0.09 seconds to defend his Beijing gold in 10.79.
Pistorius, who earlier this month became the first double-amputee to compete in the Olympics, stormed to victory in his heat at the Olympic Stadium in east London, clocking a new best of 21.30 seconds.
The 25-year-old said he was happy with the time - and the reception from the 80,000-strong crowd - but again played down expectations that he would complete the sprint clean-sweep. "I've done a world record tonight, so we'll see what happens, but the 100 isn't really my event."
Pistorius, nicknamed the "Blade Runner" because of his carbon fiber prostheses, will face Beijing silver medalist Jim Bob Bizzell, as well as his long-standing rival Jerome Singleton, both of the United States.
The race had been billed as the highlight of the evening's program, with Pistorius' participation in the 400 heats and 4x400 relay final at the Olympics making him the most high-profile athlete at the Games.
But Irish sprinter Smyth gave a stunning performance in the T13 100, streaking to victory in 10.46, breaking the previous world best of 10.54 that he set in qualifying.
The 25-year-old, who is visually impaired and like Pistorius also competes in non-disabled races, trains with US sprint star Tyson Gay in Florida.
There was more cheer for Ireland in the T37 category for athletes with cerebral palsy, as Michael McKillop retained his 800 title from Beijing in a new world record of 1:57.22.
Another record tumbled in the men's T38 100 as Australia's Evan O'Hanlon - once voted one of his country's most eligible bachelors by a fashion magazine - lowered the previous best by 0.09 seconds to defend his Beijing gold in 10.79.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
