As the world’s greatest athletes get ready to compete in London for the 2012 Summer Olympics, one athlete is already making history and headlines, long before his events begin.
South African runner Oscar Pistorius will become the first amputee athlete to ever compete in an Olympic track event, when he runs the 400 meter race and the 4×400 meter relay for his country in London.
And while Pistorius – who has earned the nickname “Blade Runner” — is quickly amassing an ever-increasing fan base of Olympic spectators worldwide, the attention is also bringing a fair share of critics, who suggest his prosthetic legs give him an advantage over other runners.
However, the Olympian (whose legs were amputated at 11 months old after being born without a fibula in either leg) has one fan in his corner who can relate very closely to his situation – “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” star and fellow double-amputee Robert David Hall.
“Believe it or not, some people are having an issue with that and saying he shouldn’t be [competing],” guest co-host Donny Deutsch noted on Thursday’s Access Hollywood Live.
“I’ve been asked about this a couple times,” Hall – who lost both legs due to a car accident in 1978 — responded. “I’m an American citizen. I want Americans to win the 400 meters and 200 meters and 100 meters — but I love this man.
“I’m a double-amputee. Oscar Pistorius is a double-amputee. And the guy’s amazing,” the actor – who plays “CSI’s” off-beat coroner Dr. Albert Robbins – continued.
As far as those who are suggesting that Pistorius’ carbon-fiber blades provide an advantage over other runners, Hall said they don’t grasp the difficulties that come with the prosthetic limbs.
“It’s not easy to balance on these things. Look, I’m an actor. I want to get from Point A to Point B [on the set], remember my lines, not fall down. Oscar Pistorius is running,” Hall said. “He qualified at Olympic qualifying time. And this is not easy, but some people say he has an advantage with the carbon fiber legs.
“I would need a jet pack to do [that] and most of us would. But God bless Oscar, I hope he has a good showing in the Olympics,” Hall concluded. “He’s not projected to win, but… he has already won.”
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