Pistorius apologises for timing of criticism

LONDON - Oscar Pistorius has apologised for the timing of his comments following his loss in the final of the Paralympic T44 200m.The South African criticised the International Paralympic Committee, saying gold medallist Alan Oliveira’s artificial legs were too long.Pistorius said he still felt that the matter needed to be addressed. But he added: “I want to apologise for the timing of my comments but I do believe that there is an issue here.”The world record holder was overhauled by Oliveira in the final 20m of the race, won by the Brazilian in 21.45 seconds with Pistorius second in 21.52.The IPC said all artificial legs - known as blades - adhered to strict regulations and had been verified and agreed before the race.But immediately after his loss, Pistorius told Channel 4: “We are not running in a fair race here.“I don’t know how you can come back, watching the replay, from eight metres behind on the 100 to win. It’s absolutely ridiculous.”Oliveira said the comments of his “idol” were hard to take. “The length of my blades is all right,” said the South American. “I went through all the procedures with the referees. I believe Pistorius also knows that.”On Monday morning Pistorius issued the apology. “I accept that raising these concerns immediately as I stepped off the track was wrong,” said Pistorius.“That was Alan’s moment and I would like to put on record the respect I have for him. “I am a proud Paralympian and believe in the fairness of sport. I am happy to work with the IPC who obviously share these aims.”The Pistorius story* Pistorius had his lower legs amputated at the age of 11 months, having been born without a fibula in either leg* His parents, Henk and Sheila, were advised that having the amputation done before he had learnt to walk would be less traumatic * His parents wrote their son a letter, to read in later life explaining their decision, which read “a loser isn’t the person that gets involved and comes last, but the one who doesn’t get involved”* By the age of two, Pistorius had his first pair of prosthetic legs and within days he had mastered them* He played waterpolo and rugby in secondary school. He also played cricket, tennis, took part in triathlons and Olympic club wrestling and was an enthusiastic boxer* In June 2003, he shattered his knee playing rugby and on the advice of doctors took up track running to aid his rehabilitation* Pistorius has his mum’s date of birth and death tattooed on his arm

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Pistorius apologises for timing of criticism