Oscar Pistorius — the so-called "Blade Runner" — has apologized for the poor timing of his comments after his shocking loss in the Paralympic 200m final Sunday.
The double-amputee track star claimed gold medalist Alan Oliveira's artificial legs were too long and criticized the International Paralympic Committee immediately after the stunning upset.
"We are not running a fair race here," said Pistorius. "I don't know how you can come back, watching the replay, from eight meters behind on the 100 to win. It's absolutely ridiculous."
Pistorius' remarks were ironic because, when he ran in last month's Olympics, track and field officials said his carbon-fiber "blades" gave him an unfair advantage over able-bodied athletes.
In a statement Monday, Pistorius said: "That was Alan's moment and I would like to put on the record the respect I have for him.
"I want to apologize for the timing of of my comments but I do believe there is an issue here."
The world-record holder — on the verge of winning his third straight 200m gold — was passed by Oliveira (also a double-amputee) in the final 20 meters. Pistorius finished second with a time of 21.52 seconds while Oliveira broke the tape at 21.45.
Oliveira, a 20-year old Brazilian, was taken aback by the comments from his "idol."
"The length of my blades is all right," he said. "I went through all the procedures with the referees. I believe Pistorius also knows that."
Pistorius set a new world record of 21.30 seconds when qualifying for the final on Saturday — breaking the previous mark of 21.88 set by Oliveira two races earlier.
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