Paralympics Weekend - Pistorius, Park Millions, Medal Snafu

Pistorius Sets Record

Oscar Pistorius is on his way to defending his 200m title at the Paralympics. The South African set a world record during a semi-final heat Saturday night. The race for the gold is Sunday evening.

"I'm so happy to be back here. This crowd is as awesome as they were a couple of weeks ago. I'm happy with the time and tomorrow is the big race and I am looking forward to that," he said on Channel 4, the rights-holding network in the U.K. for the Paralympics.

"To be out here representing our country in such an amazing stadium is so amazing."

Arlen Gets Silver

Hours after the International Paralympic Committee cleared U.S. swimmer Victoria Arlen to compete at London 2012, she took a silver medal in the 400m freestyle Saturday.

"The IPC can confirm that following this morning’s heat in the Aquatics Centre, the USA swimmer Victoria Arlen will continue to compete in the S6 class a review date set for August 2013" a statement said.

"Due to the different technicality of stroke required in breastroke a similar observation of competition will take place in her 1st SB race."

The classification system has come under fire from other members of the U.S. swimming team which saw some reassigned to different categories on the eve of competition.

Patrick Jarvis, Canadian athlete at the 1992 Paralympics and now on the IPC's governing board said on Saturday morning that the classification system is "inherently unfair".

"I wouldn't say it's a worry, but classification is what makes us a distinct sport," he said. "By its nature, classification is inherently unfair. What we've tried for is to get it right. We're constantly adjusting and there'sbeen incredible progress made."

"At the end of the day it's as fair as possible both for the overall competition and the integrity and expectations of the individual athletes."

Each athlete is given a classification number by the IPC. The lower the number, the more severe their impairment is considered for each event.

Discus Medals Mess

In the spirit of fair play, the IPC says that athletes awarded medals incorrectly Friday in the women’s discus throw F 35/36, will be allowed to keep them.

Thewrong medals were given out after LOCOG cited "inaccurate results data".

Originally, Mariia Pomazan of Ukraine was declared the winner on Friday. However, Qing Wu of China, the initial silver medalist, now is the gold medalist, swapping spots with Pomazan. Also affected – initial bronze medalist Jiongyu Bao of China. She slides down to fourth with Australian Katherine Proudfoot the bronze medalist.

A new medal ceremony was held Saturday.

The men’s F42/44 shot put event also used erroneous data, but LOCOG said the medal standings in that event were not impacted.

Park Visitor Number Reaches Three Million

A milestone for the Olympic Park this weekend: it’s 3 millionth visitor, 12 year old Lucy Fuller.

London 2012 chief Sebastian Coe was on hand to greet her. He presented her with gifts including a signed commemorative book, a mascot and a Links of London Team GB bracelet.

Reported in London by Christian Radnedge

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