Running Without Legs

     So, another sporting fiesta has come and there's been a lot of buzz about London 2012 and the abysmal showing of Team Nigeria at the games. No...this is not a another tirade about the barefaced impotence of Team Nigeria at the Olympics. That should come sometime next week when our delegates and we, their spectators are all convinced beyond reasonable doubt that we won't be appearing on the medal's table.


A salient lesson from this Olympics is the story of Oscar Pistorius. Oscar 'The Blade Runner' Pistorius is a 26year old sprinter from the Republic of South Africa. Incredibly, Oscar is a runner without legs! How cool is that? 

He was born with a congenital absence of both fibulas (the smaller of the two bones in the part of the lower limbs between the knee and the ankle). He was amputated at the age of 11 months which means he never really walked. He probably never knew what it felt like to own functional legs. Interestingly, Oscar was said to have an unwavering affinity for sports even with his 'disability'. Prior to his romance with athletics, he had played rugby, water polo, tennis and wrestling. Eventually, a serious injury from rugby ensured he would live to make history. He discovered athletics.

As human beings, we are quick to highlight our limitations. We are quick to douse every idea on the premise that it cannot be done for one reason or the other. There are always limitations. 

Oscar always knew where he wanted to be. He aimed for history and believe it or not, he has made history. A few days ago, he became the first double leg amputee to compete in the Olympic Games. That is a big deal.

Whilst, we marvel at Oscar's Olympic feat, we must not miss the message in his story. He conquered his disability to etch his name into the history books. For Oscar, participating in the Games alone is by itself worthy of medals and is in fact all the medals he can ever win. For Oscar, participating in the Olympics is more important than winning a medal, even though that would have been icing on the cake. For Oscar, showing up in London and indeed filing out on the tracks to compete with able-bodied men is in itself a victory for the young man. Some countries brought anatomically intact able-bodied men and women and are coming home empty-handed. I will graciously refrain from name calling.


Oscar teaches us to look beyond what life throws at us. He teaches us, we can achieve what we set our minds to. He teaches us there are no excuses for failure. He teaches us we can not only compete but that we can aspire for gold.

I see able-bodied men and women in Lagos traffic. Some offer to polish windshields for a token. Others simply walk up to your window and demand for their tithe of your net pay. A few days ago, beggars in Lagos did #OccupyAlausa. They claimed the State Government was cramping their style and they demanded conducive 'working' conditions in the metropolis. Pragmatically, I can't blame them, with unemployment rates soaring and the florid poverty in the land, maybe Oscar is privileged. Then again, the Government of South Africa must have got something right from the basics to enable Oscar flourish. With Oscar's accolades, I won't be surprised if they have set up a sports institute specifically for amputees. Who knows how many more Oscars they'll churn out in the next couple of years.

Oscar is a symbol of hope to not just the disabled but also the able-bodied. The mind is central in achieving purpose. If you can't dream it, you can't achieve it. Oscar is living his dream and has even won medals while competing with able-bodied athletes (maybe not at the Olympics though). 

There are no excuses for failure. You must give it a go. You must try.

You don't win a lottery if you don't buy a ticket. 

What's holding you back?

Oscar's motto is 'You are not disabled by the disabilities you have; you are able by the abilities you have'

Why not develop your abilities and look beyond your disabilities. You'll never know till you try.

He's running without legs...who knows, you just might fly without wings!