Oscar Pistorius storms out of BBC Radio 4 interview
By Laurie Hanna 6/09/2011
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Oscar Pistorius competes in Men’s 4x400m Relay at the World Athletics Championships in Daegu (Pic: AP)
Oscar Pistorius competes in Men’s 4x400m Relay at the World Athletics Championships in Daegu (Pic: AP)
BLADERUNNER Oscar Pistorius stormed out of a BBC interview after being asked if he was “an inconvenient embarrassment” to authorities.
The sprinter, 24, made history last week when he became the first Paralympian to compete alongside able-bodied athletes at the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea.
He won a silver medal as he helped South Africa take silver in the 4x400 metres relay - but was controversially dropped from the final after running in the heats
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The determined double-amputee hopes to run at both the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.
But he said he was insulted this morning when asked on Radio Four how his participation might be viewed by South African authorities and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
Interviewer Rob Bonnet asked: "Some people regard you, no doubt, as an inspiration to Paralympic athletes, no question about that.
"But it might also be said that you’re a inconvenient embarrassment to the South African authorities and the IAAF because, effectively, you’re taking them into uncharted ethical waters here.
“What’s your reaction to that?”
Pistorius hit back: "I think that’s an insult to me and I think this interview is over.
Bonnet protested his question was not intended as an “insult” but Pistorius hit back: “That is an insult. Thank you very much.”
Pistorius famously won a decision a ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport three years ago which said his carbon fibre blades do not give him a mechanical advantage.
A BBC spokesperson said: “This was a frank interview which, as we acknowledged on air, didn’t end as we would have hoped. Oscar Pistorius has been a focus for controversy and ethical debate in sport. This interview reflected that controversy, but it was never intended to cause offence".
Read more: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/london-2012-olympic-games/2011/09/06/oscar-pistorius-storms-out-of-bbc-radio-4-interview-115875-23401088/#ixzz1XEYXXccj
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