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Oscar stars at sports conference By Dominic Musgrave
NEWS
INTERNATIONAL track star Oscar Pistorius was the guest speaker at Strathclyde University’s sporting prosthetics conference. The South African, who made history earlier this year by becoming the first Paralympic athlete to win a medal at the IAAF able-bodied World Championships, joined a number of high profile speakers at the conference held at Hampden Park, hosted and organised by the University’s National Centre for Prosthetics and Orthotics. The Centre is an international leader in prosthetic and orthotic education, and the conference provided a forum for inspirational and motivational speakers to encourage people to become more active and participate in exercise and sport. Oscar’s appearance in Scotland comes ahead of his attempt to create another piece of history by qualifying for the 400m team for the 2012 Olympics. He said: “Sport can inspire us all and the more we can do to promote how anyone with any
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ability can become active will encourage current and future generations. “I am excited about the possibility of coming back to Glasgow and competing here in 2014 at the Commonwealth Games.” Paralympics GB and Scottish Disability Sport were also represented at the conference, which explored the latest developments in research, technology and design. Professor Jim McDonald, principal of the University, said: “It was a real honour for the University of Strathclyde to welcome Oscar Pistorius to Scotland, and his visit is evidence of the reputation that the National Centre for Prosthetics and Orthotics holds throughout the world. “Oscar’s success at the Paralympics and his recent achievements at the World Championships have revolutionised athletics, and he continues to inspire the next generation of athletes and prosthetics and orthotics professionals alike. “There is a great deal of interest in Glasgow as the countdown
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES I DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012
Oscar Pistorious with British paracyclist Colin Lynch, who also spoke at the conference. Credit: University of Strathclyde.
continues to the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and the University is delighted to play its part in promoting the fantastic work being done to encourage participation in sport and physical activity for everyone.” The National Centre for Prosthetics and Orthotics promotes excellence in education and enables
rehabilitation professionals to learn and develop enhanced methods of practice in the field. The conference brought together professionals, educators, researchers and strategic partners to help shape the future direction of sporting prosthetics and innovation.