Bislett Games Hit by Heat, Rain Delays; Pistorius Looks to London

Asafa Powell wins the 100 m in Oslo. (Getty Images)(ATR) Umbrellas, raincoats and a positive attitude were just as important as starting blocks, vaulting poles and javelins at the Bislett Games in Oslo, Norway.

After athletes had to initially cope with uncomfortable 90-degree temperatures throughout the first hour-and-a-half of the AF Golden League meet, a monstrous black cloud then deposited heavy rainfall on the track causing approximately a 45-minute delay.

"Three hours. It was one of the longest competitions since I've been competing," said Russia's, Yelena Isinbayeva. "I had to wait before my first jump, then I had to wait to jump again because of the rain. It was so long and I got so tired."

The Olympic champion won the women's pole vault with a mediocre height of fifteen-feet, five and ½ inches.

After the lengthy rain delay, competition on the track resumed with the women's 400 meters around 8:15 pm local time, although that wasn't the original plan.

"We had to kind of just sit around [during the rain delay]," said 400 meter winner Sanya Richards of the United States.

"Originally they told us we would have to wait until the steeplechase started and then we would go after, then all of a sudden it was women's 400," you're up first. "I got a little bit anxious at first when they said "lets go, lets go" but I just stayed focused and patient and I think it showed up in my race." Elena Isinbeyeva dealt with a rain delay on her way to winning the pole vault. (Getty Images)

In addition to Isinbayeva and Richards, also still alive for the Golden League one million dollar jackpot are American Damu Cherry in the 100 meter hurdles and Jamaican Olympic medalist Kerron Stewart. Athletes are challenged to win their event at six of six Golden League meetings in order to win the biggest yearly payday. If no athlete attains six wins, then anyone with five victories will share half the original prize - $500,000.

Still remaining with a chance among the men are Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia in the 5000 meters and Finnish javelin thrower Tero Pitkamaki.

"Blade Runner" Pistorius Back on Track, Looks Ahead to London 2012

Double amputee and four-time Paralympic Champion, Oscar Pistorius was not pleased about his time Friday night in the 400 meters B event, however optimistic about his longterm future in the sport. The South African who runs on two carbon fibre transtibial artificial limbs was second to Great Britain's Richard Strachan clocking 47.18.

In January 2008, the IAAF ruled Pistorius ineligible for competitions under its rules claiming that he had considerable advantages over athletes with his prosthetic limbs. In May 2008, the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned the decsion saying there wasn't sufficient proof that the artificial limbs gave him an advantage. He was eligible to compete for South Africa's national team at the Beijing Olympics but did not meet their qualifying standard.

"It was the worst time before the Olympics," said Pistorius, 22, after the competition Friday regarding the IAAF decision. "The integrity The Bislett Games began with the traditional "Strawberry Party" at Oslo's City Hall on Thursday. (B.Pinelli/ATR) of the sport counts a great deal. I just thing they (IAAF) could have dealt with it a bit better if they came to us and played open cards from the beginning. I understand where they're coming from and don't have any negative feelings towards them."

Pistorius hopes to compete at the World Championships in Berlin this August. However he admits that making the qualifying standard will be tough considering that his training was slowed significantly after a bad boating accident this past February near his home in Johannesburg. While driving home into the sun his speedboat hit an underwater peer breaking his jaw and causing other facial injuries.

With steady improvement of his times and continued dedication, the South African believes that making his country's team in London 2012 is a very realistic possibility.

"That is the big goal in my life," he said. "I have no doubt I'll be running my personal best again this season. If I can get down to sub 46 this season, 45.7 the next year and 45.5 the season after and I still have age on my side. Every season you get stronger as you mature. But I think its definitely a goal I'll be able to reach and I'm really looking forward to running there."

The Golden League Athletics series continues next Friday night in Rome, the third of six events this summer.

Written by Brian Pinelli

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