By Tom Degun in Bath

Oscar_Pistorius_running_down_trackAugust 18 - Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson, Britain's best known Paralympian, has controversially claimed that the Paralympic event that Oscar Pistorius competes in should be banned from disability sport competition so that the Games does not become a B-standard event to the Olympics.


Pistorius has made international headlines by qualifying for the 400 metres in the able-bodied World Championships in Daegu which begin later this month despite a row over his prosthetic legs which some claim give him an advantage.

The 24-year-old from South Africa also looks increasingly likely to compete in the 400m at the London 2012 Olympics as well as the T44 400m event at the Paralympics which is eligible for amputees below the knee.

But Baroness Tanni, who won 11 Paralympic gold medals in a glittering career, believes his event should be banned from the Games so that it is not undermined.

"I never want the Paralympic Games to be a B-stand event," Baroness Tanni told insidethegames at a special London 2012 Paralympic roundtable event presented by Visa.

"We are not yet there where the Paralympics is parallel with the Olympic but we are getting in a much better place.

"But if Oscar makes the jump to the Olympics, which he seems likely to do, and then gets injured at the Olympics, there is a real problem.

"He says that he wants to compete at the Paralympics as well as the Olympics but if he can't because he is injured, his 400 metre event in the Paralympics then becomes for the guys in his class that can't qualify for the Olympics.

"It would be just like the B-Olympics.

"The equivalent would be holding an Olympic Games for all the guys in the world who finished fourth in their national trials.

"It just wouldn't work as a respected event and it wouldn't have much credibility at all.

"I know it is controversial viewpoint but for me, this is about protecting the Paralympics and I think the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) needs to look at it carefully.

"There are a lot of events in the Paralympics and the Games could be trimmed down a bit but the most important thing is to face facts and be realistic.

"I just don't want the Paralympics to become the thing Oscar didn't do and didn't think was important."

Tanni_Grey_Thompson_head_and_shouldersBaroness Tanni (pictured) added that while the increasing profile of Pistorius if a good thing for Paralympic sport, it could also be a problem if he is allowed to overshadow Paralympic sport itself.

"There is a danger with this entire Oscar thing as well," she said.

"At the moment, we are benefiting hugely from Oscar's profile but it could get to the stage when Oscar gets bigger than the Paralympics.

"Fair play to Oscar because I would have done exactly the same as him if I were in his position but I just don't want all other Paralympians, like all the great British Paralympians, to be forgotten and all eyes focused on Oscar.

"We have got top Paralympians in Britain like double Beijing 2008 gold medallist David Weir and Shelly Woods in Britain and they deserve as much praise as Oscar.

"They must not be forgotten.

"In every interview I do, I'm just waiting to be asked about Oscar.

"I just feel sorry for other Paralympians in the same situation like the South African swimmer Natalie du Toit who just doesn't get the profile Oscar does and she actually swum at the Beijing 2008 Olympics.

"She has made the jump but doesn't get the praise Oscar does.

"It is obvious why Oscar is popular and so marketable.

"He is good looking, he is a great with the media, he is a top sprinter and he is a fantastic guy.

"But we have to put things in perspective and not let the Paralympics become the Oscar show."

The London 2012 Paralympic Roundtable event which Baroness Tanni hosted was part of a Team 2012 promotion.

Team 2012, presented by Visa, is raising funds to support 1,200 British athletes as they prepare for a place at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

For athlete updates and to show your support click here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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