Fanie Lombaard, the ”top gun” of South Africa’s team at the Athens Paralympics, arrived on Thursday for his fourth campaign at the Games since his country’s readmission to world sport at Barcelona 1992.
Lombaard, who won three gold medals and one silver at the Sydney Paralympics, is one of many seasoned athletes in the South African team who make it their business to settle the nerves of novices and instil confidence in the less experienced at international level.
The old salts, however, will not have to concern themselves much with 17-year-old amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius, who is in grade 11 at Pretoria Boys’ High.
Pistorius simply oozes confidence, which is refreshing to see in one so young.
Lombaard knows young Pistorius well. He talent-spotted the youngster two years ago when the veteran saw the youngster in rugby action for his school one Saturday morning.
”I’ve given rugby up now,” said Pistorius, who was born with a congenital defect that resulted in his legs being amputated below his knees. ”I really loved the running and the tackling and roughing it up. I played inside centre.
”That’s when Fanie spoke to me and said I should take up sprinting. He then guided me and helped me to design a pair of running legs.”
Pistorius got his running career off over the middle distances with a 41-minute 10km personal best.
He shortened his distances down with quality and speed to the point that he now holds the world 200m record of 22,69 seconds for the T44 amputee class and is a favourite for the gold medal.
”My 100m is 11,09 seconds,” he said. ”So my expectations are not so high for gold, but I reckon if all goes right, I should win gold in the 200m.”
Pistorius’s speed — despite the fact that his lower legs are missing — has amazed his fellow school athletes to the extent that he was included among the matriculant sprinters in the 4x100m, 4x200m and 4x400m relays during Pretoria inter-high-school meetings before leaving for Athens.
Pistorius, who has missed three months of school during his Paralympic preparations this year, has been working on acceleration and explosive starts to hit the peak when sprinting action kicks off at the Olympic Stadium next week.
”I’ve received great support from back home,” said Pistorius. ”The guys in my hostel gave me a banner which I’ve put in my room at the Athlete’s Village and I’ve received all kinds of e-mails and cards.”
”I’m not too nervous here. The spirit is great among the team and the food is amazing. I’m staying away from the hamburgers until I’m finished competing,” he grinned. ”I’ve put on some weight, but it’s muscle as a result of explosive weight-training in the gym.” — Sapa