Vanessa Richardson

He also won gold in the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes. And after this series of wins, Oscar felt unstoppable. He wanted to be challenged even further. The words of his late mother, Sheila, rang through his head, quote, "'The real loser is never the person who crosses the finish line last. The real loser is the person who sits on the side, the person who doesn't even try to compete.'"

Which is why Oscar decided it was time to start training for the regular Olympics. And in 2012, he finally earned a spot on the South African team. That summer, he'd be heading to the London Games as the first ever double amputee runner to compete. But that wasn't the only monumental thing coming Oscar's way.

Which is why Oscar decided it was time to start training for the regular Olympics. And in 2012, he finally earned a spot on the South African team. That summer, he'd be heading to the London Games as the first ever double amputee runner to compete. But that wasn't the only monumental thing coming Oscar's way.

Which is why Oscar decided it was time to start training for the regular Olympics. And in 2012, he finally earned a spot on the South African team. That summer, he'd be heading to the London Games as the first ever double amputee runner to compete. But that wasn't the only monumental thing coming Oscar's way.

That year, he'd also meet someone very important, someone most people thought he'd spend forever with. But in this case, forever would only last a couple of months before Oscar's entire world came to a screeching halt. On August 4th, 2012, Oscar Pistorius took to the starting blocks of the London Olympic Games.

That year, he'd also meet someone very important, someone most people thought he'd spend forever with. But in this case, forever would only last a couple of months before Oscar's entire world came to a screeching halt. On August 4th, 2012, Oscar Pistorius took to the starting blocks of the London Olympic Games.

That year, he'd also meet someone very important, someone most people thought he'd spend forever with. But in this case, forever would only last a couple of months before Oscar's entire world came to a screeching halt. On August 4th, 2012, Oscar Pistorius took to the starting blocks of the London Olympic Games.

His first event was a preliminary heat in the 400-meter race against five other athletes. As the pistol was fired, the Blade Runner took off with the rigor and stamina he was known for. The crowds in London cheered Oscar's name so loud you would have thought he was competing for the home team. And he made many of those onlookers, including his nation of South Africa, proud.

His first event was a preliminary heat in the 400-meter race against five other athletes. As the pistol was fired, the Blade Runner took off with the rigor and stamina he was known for. The crowds in London cheered Oscar's name so loud you would have thought he was competing for the home team. And he made many of those onlookers, including his nation of South Africa, proud.

His first event was a preliminary heat in the 400-meter race against five other athletes. As the pistol was fired, the Blade Runner took off with the rigor and stamina he was known for. The crowds in London cheered Oscar's name so loud you would have thought he was competing for the home team. And he made many of those onlookers, including his nation of South Africa, proud.

That day, he finished second, advancing to the semifinals. But the following afternoon, Oscar wasn't on top of his game. He came in last, missing out on a spot in the finals. Even though Oscar didn't win a medal, he arguably won something more valuable at those London games — the admiration of millions of people. Overnight, Oscar became a global icon.

That day, he finished second, advancing to the semifinals. But the following afternoon, Oscar wasn't on top of his game. He came in last, missing out on a spot in the finals. Even though Oscar didn't win a medal, he arguably won something more valuable at those London games — the admiration of millions of people. Overnight, Oscar became a global icon.

That day, he finished second, advancing to the semifinals. But the following afternoon, Oscar wasn't on top of his game. He came in last, missing out on a spot in the finals. Even though Oscar didn't win a medal, he arguably won something more valuable at those London games — the admiration of millions of people. Overnight, Oscar became a global icon.

He was flooded with requests for interviews and television appearances. Brands like Nike and Oakley signed him to be the face of their new campaigns. Now, Oscar Pistorius was enjoying a $2 million a year payday. That, partnered with Oscar's good looks and sculpted physique, suddenly made him one of the most desirable bachelors on the planet. And Oscar knew it.

He was flooded with requests for interviews and television appearances. Brands like Nike and Oakley signed him to be the face of their new campaigns. Now, Oscar Pistorius was enjoying a $2 million a year payday. That, partnered with Oscar's good looks and sculpted physique, suddenly made him one of the most desirable bachelors on the planet. And Oscar knew it.

He was flooded with requests for interviews and television appearances. Brands like Nike and Oakley signed him to be the face of their new campaigns. Now, Oscar Pistorius was enjoying a $2 million a year payday. That, partnered with Oscar's good looks and sculpted physique, suddenly made him one of the most desirable bachelors on the planet. And Oscar knew it.

Regardless of the repercussions, Oscar was basking in the limelight. Fancy parties, award shows, and galas now filled his social calendar. And when it came to dating, Oscar had his pick of the litter. Actresses, models, singers, you name it. However, there was one woman that really caught Oscar's attention. 29-year-old reality TV star and model Reva Steenkamp.

Regardless of the repercussions, Oscar was basking in the limelight. Fancy parties, award shows, and galas now filled his social calendar. And when it came to dating, Oscar had his pick of the litter. Actresses, models, singers, you name it. However, there was one woman that really caught Oscar's attention. 29-year-old reality TV star and model Reva Steenkamp.

Regardless of the repercussions, Oscar was basking in the limelight. Fancy parties, award shows, and galas now filled his social calendar. And when it came to dating, Oscar had his pick of the litter. Actresses, models, singers, you name it. However, there was one woman that really caught Oscar's attention. 29-year-old reality TV star and model Reva Steenkamp.

Oscar met Riva at a car show in November of 2012, shortly after returning from the London Olympics. They both had mutual friends who thought they'd be a good match. They got to talking, and Oscar asked Riva to be his date to an awards ceremony later that evening. From that day on, they were inseparable. Like Oscar, Riva Steenkamp was born and raised in South Africa.