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22.10.2014 Sports News

Oscar Pistorius: The dark shadow of the Dream Runner I once knew

By Allsports.com.gh
Oscar Pistorius: The dark shadow of the Dream Runner I once knew
22.10.2014 LISTEN

When he entered the court on Tuesday morning it seemed that Oscar Pistorius already knew what the sentence would be. His eyes were empty and lifeless.

He'd guessed or someone had already whispered his fate to him. His face was very different from the one with which he was introduced to us six years earlier.

At that time, his eyes were full of his joie de vivre. In the Sala Buzzati located in the historic buildings that house the Corriere della Sera in Via Solferino, here in Milan, he showed us his dreams and garnered full solidarity for the battle he was waging to be able to compete with 'normal' runners. 

His severed legs were his pride and the prostheses helped him without embarrassment. Oscar knew how to put everyone at ease. He absolutely did not seek comfort or pity - he was normal and almost seemed surprised that we were so concerned about him.

Candido Cannavò, journalist, writer but, above all, a man with a huge, warm heart, adopted him. We never noticed any shadow on his face or deep secrets in his eyes. This was why we wrote the book on his life 'Dream Runner. In corsa per un sogno' (Dream Runner. Running for a Dream) together. 

It was pleasant to rummage through his private sphere, so human and also simple. We never saw the dark side of his soul.

Unfortunately, violence is an integral part of South African society. Re-reading some passages of the book, we can now glimpse some seeds of anger - in the free, unscrupulous games and unwritten rules of behaviour in the dormitories of the schools. But it was the normal controlled violence of youth.  However, sudden explosions which disappear immediately like will-o'-the-wisps are one thing, and the blind impulse to kill another.

We believe that success led him to exceed, because he wasn't prepared. He was pushed onto a stage for which he was not ready, nor prepared. Reeva lost her life. Those four shots in the dark of St Valentine's night  last year took a young life. Oscar now has to serve 5 years in prison. There are some who say he was lucky. Public opinion has not  forgiven him. 

It will not be easy for him to accept prison and its laws and regimentation but, one day, perhaps he'll be able to make amends - as he dreamed in Mozambique as an ambassador for the Mine Seeker Foundation, helping to find an erect dignity for those who have been forced to crawl in the dust by the landmines.

Now he's the ghost of that Dream Runner of the book. Will he be reborn? Only by dedicating himself to others.

Credit:   Gianni Merlo, AIPS President, La Gazzetta Dello Sport

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