Thierry Mugler Congratulates Oscar Pistorius on his Historic Qualification for the World Championships in Korea

PARIS, July 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Oscar Pistorius, who had both of his legs amputated when he was eleven months old and who now runs with the help of two metal prosthetics, qualified last Tuesday (July 19, 2011) for the World Championships in Korea this August, by running the 400 meter race in Lignano (Italy) in 45.07 seconds (the maximum qualifying time was 45.25 seconds).

     (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20110727/471779-a )

     (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20110727/471779-b ) 

His performance was outstanding- more than one second faster than in his first 400 meter race of the season. But beyond that, Oscar Pistorius made the dream he has fought to achieve for many years a reality: he has realized the qualification mark for the 2012 London Olympics. And to participate to this extraordinary competition, he has to achieve this time once again between January, 1^st and June, 30^th, 2012.

His struggle to run alongside able-bodied athletes in the most prestigious competition in the world is a testament to the young South African's perseverance and his extraordinary will power.

Oscar has been the icon for Thierry Mugler's A*Men line since February 2011. He was spotted and selected for his unique path and for his ability to embody the value of exceeding one's own limits better than anyone else.

Today, Thierry Mugler and all the teams of Clarins Fragrance Group join the media and the sports world to congratulate Oscar Pistorius on this historic qualification, and extend their sincere and enthusiastic support as he rises to future challenges.

About Oscar Pistorius

Oscar Pistorius's story is truly extraordinary.

Born in 1986 in Johannesburg, South Africa, Oscar had his legs amputated because of a birth defect when he was only eleven months old.

Learning to walk on artificial limbs, which were quickly replaced with carbon fiber prosthetics, he developed an incredible ability to move. Over the past several years, Oscar has achieved a level of athletic performance that has turned him into a world-class sprinter.

During the 2004 Paralympics in Athens, Oscar took home several medals and became both a triple paralympic champion and a triple world record holder, in the 100, 200 and 400 meter races.

In 2008, the prestigious Time Magazine ranked him among the 100 most influential figures in world in the "Heroes & Pioneers" category.

SOURCE Thierry Mugler