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Cape Town - President Jacob Zuma has praised the performance of South Africa's "blade-runner" Oscar Pistorius during his State of the Nation address here on Thursday.
"We must perform better in sports this year! Our star performer, Oscar Pistorius has set the standard for the year by winning the 2012 Laureus Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award. Congratulations for this achievement," said Zuma.
Pistorius was awarded with the accolade in London on Monday evening. In 2011, he became the first amputee to win a non-disabled World Championship track medal, as a member of the South African silver medal winning 4 x 400 metres relay team, in Daegu, South Korea.
“This is just a great privilege to be nominated, it is really humbling to be here," an elated Pistorius said after receiving the Laureus Statuette.
Zuma also had praise for the country's women's soccer team.
"We also congratulate the national women’s soccer team Banyana Banyana for qualifying for the London Olympics for the first time. With our support, they will do well.
"We must perform better in sports this year! Our star performer, Oscar Pistorius has set the standard for the year by winning the 2012 Laureus Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award. Congratulations for this achievement," said Zuma.
Pistorius was awarded with the accolade in London on Monday evening. In 2011, he became the first amputee to win a non-disabled World Championship track medal, as a member of the South African silver medal winning 4 x 400 metres relay team, in Daegu, South Korea.
“This is just a great privilege to be nominated, it is really humbling to be here," an elated Pistorius said after receiving the Laureus Statuette.
Zuma also had praise for the country's women's soccer team.
"We also congratulate the national women’s soccer team Banyana Banyana for qualifying for the London Olympics for the first time. With our support, they will do well.
