By the time you read this column, the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, will be under way. The Olympic experience can be bittersweet—on one hand, you are thrilled for the winners; on the other hand, you can't help feeling sad for those who don't win, particularly those who you may favor or those whose stories are especially inspiring. For me, this dichotomy of feelings tends to be stronger during the Olympic trials. The best of the best compete, and, sometimes, it's a matter of seconds—even milliseconds—that makes or breaks a chance for the Olympic dream.

One such story is that of Oscar Pistorius. At press time, Pistorius competed in the 400m trials and was not able to qualify for a spot on the Olympic team. His time of 46.25 seconds was over the 45.55 second maximum needed to qualify for Beijing. The 21-year-old Pistorius, who said his legal battles prevented him from focusing on training, acknowledged it might be more realistic to aim for the 2012 London Olympics.

Pistorius' legal challenges began when the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) declared Pistorius' carbon-fibre blades—called Cheetahs—an unfair advantage over able-bodied sprinters. The IAAF adopted a rule last summer prohibiting "technical aids" deemed to give an athlete an advantage. In an unprecedented decision in mid-May, the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned the federation's ban, stating that the carbon-fiber Cheetah Flex-foot prostheses did not provide Pistorius with an unfair advantage over able-bodied runners.

The decision by the Court of Arbitration was a historical turn of events. Despite the fact that Pistorius did not quality for the 400m Olympic team, his determination and persistence in challenging the rules were already his personal victories. Interestingly, Pistorius' 46.25-second time during the trials was his best ever.

Pistorius stated that he was happy with his season's achievements despite missing out. He plans to run at the Paralympic Games in Beijing, September 6-17, 2008. He holds the Paralympic world record of 46.56 in the 400.

The Paralympics emphasize the participants' athletic achievements rather than their disability—Pistorius and many other Paralympians are prime examples of overcoming challenges of a disability and refocusing the body's strength into its capabilities. These days, sports activity has commonly become a viable option for individuals with a disability, and the Paralympics showcase the champions in this area.

In the Paralympics, athletes with disabilities are grouped in classes defined by the degree of function presented by the disability. The six different disability groups include: amputee, cerebral palsy, visual impairment, spinal cord injuries, intellectual disability, and a group that includes all those who do not fit into the aforementioned groups. The sports include: archery, athletics, boccia, cycling, equestrian, football 5-a-Side, football 7-a-Side, goalball, judo, powerlifting, rowing, sailing, shooting, swimming, table tennis, volleyball sitting, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair fencing, wheelchair rugby, and wheelchair tennis.

It does not take a Paralympic athlete, however—or any other Olympic athlete, for that matter—to be inspired. Your patients may serve as inspiration for you as you rehab and train them back to performance levels. I would love to hear your stories about special patients who've surpassed odds to return to function—at any level—in sports. I'll share your stories with our readers.

Arati Murti