'Blade Runner' Pistorius eyes glory bid

"Blade Runner" Oscar Pistorius is preparing to launch his bid for triple sprint glory at the Paralympics with an eye on future Olympic dreams.

Nicknamed after the specially adapted carbon fibre blades he wears, the 21-year-old won a court battle to compete at last month's Olympics but failed to qualify.

Despite setting his sights on the London Olympics in 2012, the double amputee is focused on the task in Beijing: he wants to win the 100m, 200m and 400m golds as well as break a world record.

He is the world record holder in his category in all three events.

Pistorius did not have the ideal start to these Games, being involved in a spat with South Africa's sporting chiefs over a number of issues, including the late arrival of the team's kit in China and travel arrangements to Beijing.

But the man with the reputation of the "fastest thing on no legs" said he is focused on his bid for a clean sweep in the sprints despite jangling nerves ahead of his first race on Monday.

"I think nerves and pressure are good things, but I'm very excited as well," he said.

Pistorius believes the quick pace of the track in Beijing makes world records more likely.

"If you look at the Olympics and how many world records were broken, that's definitely going to reflect on the Paralympics."

The South African, defending his Paralympic 200m title, is hoping to run a world record in the 400m but admits breaking his own 200m mark is going to be a challenge.

In the 100m he is expecting a tough race against two-time defending champion, Marlon Shirley.

"Marlon and I are facing each other for the first time since Athens. In my opinion, he has been running scared since then," he said, stoking up the rivalry.

Pistorius had both of his legs amputated as a baby due to a congenital disorder.

Then, in January 2004, he shattered his right knee on the rugby field and doctors recommended he switch to track, launching a glittering career.

Among his many achievements is winning the silver medal over 400 metres in the 2007 South African National Championships - competing against able-bodied runners - a performance that boosted hopes of Olympic qualification.

Though Pistorius said his ultimate aim is to compete alongside able-bodied athletes at the Olympics, he is now focused on the Paralympics.

"If I get the opportunity one day, which I really hope I do, to participate in the Olympics, during that time I'll view myself as an Olympian. At the moment, I'm at the Paralympics, so I view myself as a Paralympian.

"In general, I'm an elite sprinter and that's the way I view myself."

Pistorius also said there is a difference in the approach to the Paralympics.

"One of the things I've learned is from an able-bodied background you run to win, whereas from the Paralympic background you run to better yourself, and I think that's far better and far more important in sport.

"We often lose sight of that and want to win at any cost, but at the end of the day it's better coming second and running a personal best than winning and not running a good time at all."