Pistorius right back to racing

LONDON — As he left Olympic Stadium, Oscar Pistorius stopped for a moment and looked back.

The double-amputee runner turned to take in the crowd of 80,000 and reflect on his victory in a four-year fight to compete at the London Games against the world's best able-bodied athletes.

"It's something I will definitely remember for the rest of my life," Pistorius told The Associated Press on Saturday, thinking back to his debut on the biggest track stage in the world. "It's been absolutely phenomenal. In a way, I'm glad the pressure's over."

But there's still more business for the "Blade Runner" in London.

In a few weeks, the South African will be back at the same stadium on his carbon-fiber blades for the Paralympics. He won't be a sideshow. He'll be the main attraction.

Pistorius is the defending champion in the 100, 200 and 400 meters — and he'll be expected to win four gold medals this time. He also will be on South Africa's 4x100 relay team.

If he wins them all, he'll go home with more gold than Usain Bolt.

"I've always wanted to be at the Olympics and Paralympics at the same games," Pistorius said, still glowing after running the anchor leg in the 4x400 final Friday.

It's going to be a challenge, sure, but the 25-year-old Pistorius has gotten used to them over the years.

Bans, court cases, battles to qualify – and, most recently, a crash by a teammate in the 4x400 relay semifinals this week that almost ended Oscar's Olympics early.

"We won't hopefully have those (dramas) in the future," he said, laughing, outside the athletes village. "This has been one of the most special moments of my life and I'm sure the Paralympics later this month is going to be exactly the same for me."

Then, it'll be time to rest and reflect until next season. And think about what else he can achieve.

"Next year we've got the world championships in Moscow," said Pistorius. "Looking forward to that as well."