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Lead Stories: Wednesday, October 15, 2008

TIME Magazine Ranks Oscar Pistorius One of the 100 Most Influential People of 2008

Posted May 2nd, 2008 at 9:15 AM by Andrew Goodman

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics

Today, it was announced that Oscar Pistorius has made the 2008 TIME 100, the annual list published by TIME Magazine, which identifies the 100 most influential people in the world. Oscar is in good company, including the Dalai Lama, Lance Armstrong, Nelson Mandela, Vladimir Putin, and Al Gore.

While TIME refuses to rank the 100 in importance, but does create categories – Oscar is listed third in the Heroes & Pioneers list, just after Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Oprah Winfrey – the magazine also conducted a poll amongst its readers to hear whom they thought should be on the list, and Oscar placed 19th.

Just one year ago, very few people in the world were aware of this young South African bilateral amputee who may very well change the history of sport because of his resolve and determination to compete on equal ground and without apologies against able-bodied athletes.
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Oscar Pistorius Controversy: Letter from Ossur CEO to IAAF President Lamine Diack

Posted December 18th, 2007 at 5:43 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, SoundOFF, Columns, Olympics

The following letter was sent from Ossur President & CEO, Jon Sigurdsson to the President of the IAAF, Mr. Lamine Diack, stating the prosthetic company’s position on the Oscar Pistorius controversy.

The IAAF is expected to announce this week whether Pistorius, a South African double-amputee who runs with the assistance of Ossur-made prosthetics, will be allowed to compete in the able-bodied Olympics and IAAF-sanctioned events.

Dear Mr. Diack,

I would like to commend and continue to support the efforts of the IAAF to make an informed decision on the case of bilateral amputee athlete, Oscar Pistorius.

Oscar - on his two carbon fiber “blades” - has challenged the way we all think of amputees and sport. As the innovation leader in advanced prosthetics, we at Ossur are also scratching our heads as we observe the phenomenon that is Oscar Pistorius. Still, Ossur has never questioned those who push themselves further. Our motto, “Life Without Limitations,” is not an idle phrase. We stand behind it in all our actions, and will support those who, like Oscar, dare to act on their dreams.

For Oscar, that dream is the Olympic stage, but what is at play here will affect all amputee athletes who wish to compete against the able-bodied in any IAAF sanctioned event.
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