OSCAR PISTORIUS: ATHLETE PROFILE

BADER TV NEWS

SPORTS NEWS

Media Information

OSCAR PISTORIUS: ATHLETE PROFILE “Blade Runner” Primed to Compete This Summer - Sprinter Turns to Nike Technology to Improve Performance This B-Roll is free to use without restrictions or obligations for regularly scheduled news TV broadcasts and its corresponding websites only covering Nike’s Summer of Competition. Here is the story overview:

July / August 2012: “You’re not disabled by the disabilities you have, you are able by the abilities you have...” Athlete Oscar Pistorius, the world-record holding double amputee sprinter from South Africa, is primed to compete against able-bodied runners this summer. Pistorius is referred to as “The Blade Runner” by way of his signature prosthetic running “blades.” Nike Works with Pistorius to Improve Performance Pistorius turned to Nike to improve on his Ossur Flex-Foot Cheetah prosthetics. The Cheetah, named for the world’s fastest animal, is a custom-built, high performance carbon fiber foot designed primarily for sporting activities. It attaches posterior to the socket, making it agile and strong. Flex-Foot Cheetahs have been used by athletes since 1996 and have been scientifically proven to not give a net advantage over able-bodied athletes. Oscar Pistorius has been competing with the same Össur manufactured blades since 2004. As the material previously used for the Cheetah's midsole was extremely porous, Pistorius would pick up additional weight when competing in the rain. Nike corrected this problem by developing a water resistant sole that does not compromise performance in wet weather. Another element of the Cheetah which required improvement specifically for Pistorius was traction. Nike technicians created a new “spike plate” for the bottom of the foot which is durable and affords landing consistency. SOT Full: SOT Full:

Oscar Pistorius / Nike World Record Sprint Runner (South Africa) Tobie Hatfield / Nike Engineer, Innovation Design Director

Oscar Pistorius at the Nike Sports Research Lab aka “The Oven” / “The Kitchen” Oscar Pistorius took time from his rigorous training schedule to visit the Nike Sports Research Lab, located in the Mia Hamm building at the company's headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon that spans a grand total of 175 acres. At the Lab, a team of Nike technicians create new footwear for athletic endeavors including track and field, golf, and basketball. They are also known as “The Kitchen” and “The Oven. ” The walls of this facility are laden with inspirational quotes from a variety of athletes. Pistorius ran test heats in the Nike biomechanics lab which uses a sensor-filled track and force plates to gauge torque and other data, which were then charted by a handful of computer

screens nearby. By understanding these details, Nike designers tweaked Pistorius’ running apparatus in order for him to maximize his performance. About Oscar Pistorius Oscar Pistorius was born with congenital absence of the fibula in both legs. When he was 11 months old, his legs were amputated halfway between his knees and ankles. He attended Constantia Kloof Primary and Pretoria Boys' High School where, between the ages of 11 and 13, he played rugby union in the school's third XV team, water polo, and tennis. He also played water polo and tennis at provincial level. After a serious rugby knee injury, he was introduced to running in January 2004 while undergoing rehabilitation, and "never looked back." In 2006, Pistorius was conferred the Order of Ikhamanga in Bronze (OIB) by the President of South Africa for outstanding achievement in sports. In 2007, he was awarded the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award, which is conferred for outstanding courage and achievement in the face of adversity. In 2008, Pistorius made Time magazine's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

OSCAR PISTORIUS: ATHLETE PROFILE

HD Broadcast Quality Video Online:

http://badermediaaccess.com/sports/london/

For additional story details, please contact: Bader TV News Media Relations Staff +1.212-744-5380 [email protected]