Oscar Pistorius thinks the world will become "addicted" to Paralympic sport when the Games come to London next year.
South African star hopes 2012 Games can increase respect for Paralympic sport
Oscar Pistorius thinks the world will become "addicted" to Paralympic sport when the Games come to London next year.
The Paralympics have come a long way since they were first held in Rome 51 years ago, but the gap in popularity, TV audiences and levels of interest are still way behind the competition's able-bodied equivalent.
Nevertheless, London 2012 chairman Lord Coe said on Wednesday that surveys suggest that tickets for the Paralympics will sell out, with many expected to be snapped up when they go on sale on Friday.
The 100 metre, 200 metre, 400 metre and relay events that Pistorius will compete in will likely be the biggest sellers of the lot.
The 24-year-old South African double-amputee has become an iconic figure in the Paralympic movement after clinching three gold medals in Beijing.
He can also compete in the Olympic Games after the IAAF decided the carbon fibre blades he uses in place of his legs do not give him an unfair advantage.
Pistorius, known as the 'Blade Runner', thinks the world will become gripped by the competition and expects tickets to be snapped up quickly.
"The excitement will spread across the world when the Paralympics and the Olympics come here," he said.
"I have no doubt that the Paralympic tickets will get snapped up just as quickly as the Olympic tickets did."
Respect
Pistorius also hopes next year's Paralympics can gain new respect among sports fans.
"We are trying to change the inspirational aspect of it," he said.
"This is sport, it's dedication. Blood, sweat and tears are shed on a daily basis.
"People are going to witness that for the first time next year.
"We hope it will undergo a transition from Paralympic sport just being something that we think is inspirational to something that we get addicted to just like any other sport."
That Pistorius is likely to compete in both the Paralympics and the Olympics next is bound to prove contentious despite the IAAF being happy that tests confirm his blades do not give him any advantage over his rivals.
He admits that controversy is unlikely to ever go away.
"It has been proven that the blades do not give me an advantage," he said.
"There will always be critics but at the same time I will have to take it with a pinch of salt because there is science to back up my claim."
