Britain’s Jonnie Peacock dethroned Paralympics star Oscar Pistorius in the 100m on Thursday, lighting up the Olympic Stadium in the Games’ showpiece event as the South African star was edged out of the medals. Peacock triumphed in the London 2012 T44 men’s 100m final, setting a new Paralympic record of 10.90 seconds, bettering the previous best of 11.08, which he had set on Wednesday in qualifying. Reigning champion Pistorius, the Paralympics’ biggest star after last month becoming the first double amputee to compete at the Olympics, was beaten into fourth place in a time of 11.17 seconds.It was a second stunning defeat of the Games for the 25-year-old after he could only manage silver defending the 200m title he won in Beijing four years ago, overtaken by Brazil’s Alan Oliveira.
Finishing behind 19-year-old Peacock, US sprinter Richard Browne won the silver medal with a personal best of 11.03 seconds, and South Africa’s Arnu Fourie ran and African record of 11.08 for the bronze. As they lined up for the final, the world’s eight fastest amputee sprinters soaked up the atmosphere inside the packed 80,000-seater stadium. Lui Zhiming kissed the Chinese flag and pointed to the camera. Oliveira waved his hands by his ears.
Standing next to him, Pistorius — who has apologised for claiming immediately after the 200m final that the Brazilian’s “taller” carbon fibre running blades had given him an unfair advantage — was given a big ovation and applauded the crowd and gave a thumbs up to the camera.
Browne jumped about pointing to the USA written across his chest, before Peacock was greeted with a deafening roar. He smiled and clapped above his head.
