Johannesburg, July 21 : Double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius has said he has trained hard to earn his place in South Africa's Olympic team for the London Games.

The sprinter was initially included in the squad as a member of the 4x400 metres relay team, but the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) agreed to enter him in the individual event as well.

"I know that I deserve to be in London. I have twice set the qualification time and know I can be competitive," Pistorius said.

He is set to make history when he gets on the starting blocks in the Olympic Stadium on August 4 as the first amputee to participate in a track event at the able-bodied Games.

Pistorius said setbacks he had suffered along the way to realising his dream of competing with able-bodied athletes had only strengthened his resolve, Sport24 reports.

"I''ve always had the drive and ambition to go for what I believe in. I''m dedicated to my sport and I work so hard at being the best athlete I can possibly be," he said.

"To be included in Team South Africa for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games is the culmination of years of hard work. Not just by me, but all the people around me, and I want to thank them and my fans for all their support."

The 25-year-old said he had worked hard on his fitness and conditioning and he was confident he would be in top form at the Games.

In his final race before the start of the Olympics, he ran a time of 46.56 seconds in Lignano, Italy, on Tuesday. (ANI)

`Blade Runner' Pistorious says trained hard to earn place in South African Olympic team

Johannesburg, July 21 (ANI): Double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius has said he has trained hard to earn his place in South Africa's Olympic team for the London Games.

The sprinter was initially included in the squad as a member of the 4x400 metres relay team, but the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) agreed to enter him in the individual event as well.

"I know that I deserve to be in London. I have twice set the qualification time and know I can be competitive," Pistorius said.

He is set to make history when he gets on the starting blocks in the Olympic Stadium on August 4 as the first amputee to participate in a track event at the able-bodied Games.

Pistorius said setbacks he had suffered along the way to realising his dream of competing with able-bodied athletes had only strengthened his resolve, Sport24 reports.

"I''ve always had the drive and ambition to go for what I believe in. I''m dedicated to my sport and I work so hard at being the best athlete I can possibly be," he said.

"To be included in Team South Africa for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games is the culmination of years of hard work. Not just by me, but all the people around me, and I want to thank them and my fans for all their support."

The 25-year-old said he had worked hard on his fitness and conditioning and he was confident he would be in top form at the Games.

In his final race before the start of the Olympics, he ran a time of 46.56 seconds in Lignano, Italy, on Tuesday. (ANI)