FOUR-TIME Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius insists he is not overworking himself in what is expected to be the toughest year in his prospering career as he bids to become the first amputee to compete on the track at the Olympic Games.
The 25-year-old sprinter turned out at the National Championships for the Physically Disabled in Durban this week, participating in three races in two days, and withdrawing from a fourth due to a blister on his leg.
"Every athlete has different ways to prepare," Pistorius said after his final race of the championships.
"If you look at some international athletes, they run more races in an Olympic year to gain confidence.
"I believe in gaining confidence and you can only gain that by running races, so for me it's about jumping on the circuit and banging out some good races.
"You know if the races don't go well you learn from them. I'd rather have that than get to a competition where I'm not confident enough in my ability and my condition."
Pistorius took part in the Gauteng North provincial championships in Pretoria two weeks ago, clocking 45.20 seconds in an able-bodied 400 metres race and dipping 0.10 seconds inside the qualifying time for the London Olympics.
He will compete at the national senior championships in Port Elizabeth next month before travelling abroad for the start of the European season, where he needs one more qualifying time to be eligible for Olympic selection. - Sapa
Pistorius prepares for Olympics
FOUR-TIME Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius insists he is not overworking himself in what is expected to be the toughest year in his prospering career as he bids to become the first amputee to compete on the track at the Olympic Games.
The 25-year-old sprinter turned out at the National Championships for the Physically Disabled in Durban this week, participating in three races in two days, and withdrawing from a fourth due to a blister on his leg.
"Every athlete has different ways to prepare," Pistorius said after his final race of the championships.
"If you look at some international athletes, they run more races in an Olympic year to gain confidence.
"I believe in gaining confidence and you can only gain that by running races, so for me it's about jumping on the circuit and banging out some good races.
"You know if the races don't go well you learn from them. I'd rather have that than get to a competition where I'm not confident enough in my ability and my condition."
Pistorius took part in the Gauteng North provincial championships in Pretoria two weeks ago, clocking 45.20 seconds in an able-bodied 400 metres race and dipping 0.10 seconds inside the qualifying time for the London Olympics.
He will compete at the national senior championships in Port Elizabeth next month before travelling abroad for the start of the European season, where he needs one more qualifying time to be eligible for Olympic selection. - Sapa
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