By Tom Degun

Oscar_Pistorius_in_starting_pose_at_London_2012_Olympic_StadiumAugust 15 - Multiple Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius is set to have huge support from the South Korean public at the World Athletics Championships in Daegu later this month as he has already built up a large following in the country according to South Korean Ambassador to South Africa Yoon Lee.


The 24-year-old made will make history in Daegu by becoming the first amputee athlete to compete at the able-bodied World Championships.

He achieved the feat after he clocked 45.07sec in the 400 metres at a race in Lignano in Italy last month to better the A standard time for the event.

His selection for the individual event and the 4x400m relay has drawn criticism from some, including South African sports scientist Dr Ross Tucker who told insidethegames that he believes Pistorius' prosthetic legs give him an unfair advantage over able-bodied athletes.

However Lee revealed that Pistorius has been a constant feature in the media since he qualified for the World Championships in July.

"Oscar is a big name in the Republic of Korea," said Lee.

"His photos are splashed all over in the media.

"He has been featured in interviews since qualifying for the championships, at a meet in Italy last month, focusing on the human story.

"Oscar is a role model to many people in Korea and the people of Korea are looking forward to welcoming Oscar."

Pistorius is set to head out to the World Championships next week and is currently in heavy training for them.

He tweeted from his training base in Pretoria: "1 week till I leave again. Have to keep my head down, starting with a 350m time trial this am."

Pistorius first competed against able-bodied athletes in 2007 but the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) amended its rules to ban the use of "any technical device that incorporates springs, wheels or any other element that provides a user with an advantage over another athlete not using such a device."

The IAAF said scientific research had showed Pistorius enjoyed an advantage over able-bodied athletes and banned him from all its competitions but the decision was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The decision means that Pistorius is increasingly likely to qualify for the London 2012 Olympics next year, which he hopes to compete in before the Paralympic Games in the capital.

The World Championships will take place from August 27 to September 4 and are the biggest event in the sport ahead of London 2012.

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August 2011: Exclusive - Pistorius is getting "F1 advantage" and should not compete in Olympics, says South African sports scientist
August 2011: Tom Degun - Pistorius should be allowed to compete in able-bodied competition
August 2011: Pistorius makes history as first amputee to run at Worlds
July 2011: Paralympic star Pistorius signs Fast Track to act as his publicists ahead of London 2012
July 2011: Pistorius can start dreaming of London 2012 after clocking Olympic qualifying time