Oscar Pistorius makes history with appearance at London Olympics

It was one of the most controversial stories going into the 2012 Olympics. South African runner Oscar Pistorius had been disallowed to participate in the 2008 Games but was given the opportunity to compete in London.

Pistorius, a double amputee since the age of 11 months, used his iconic carbon fiber limbs to run in the 400-meter race and the 4×400-meter relay. Pistorius advanced to the semifinals of his individual race before bowing out in eighth place. He also competed in the relay final for his team that placed eighth out of nine teams.

Raised in a Christian home, Pistorius has a tattoo on his back that displays the words from 1 Corinthians 9:26-27:

“I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. I execute each strike with intent. I beat my body and make it my slave…”