Double-Amputee Sprinter Oscar Pistorius Trades Race Bibs With Kirani James

Blade Runner bows out of the 400-meter race after exchanging bibs with a fellow Olympian

By Bruna Nessif Aug 06, 2012 12:09 AMTags
Oscar Pistorius, Kirani James, 2012 Summer OlympicsPhil Walter/Getty Images

It's no surprise that the Olympics can get a little emotional, so today was just another moment for viewers to get a little teary-eyed.

After witnessing double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius take on the semifinal heat of the 400-meter race—an event that tugged at heartstrings already—people witnessed as the determined Paralympian from South Africa made a friendly exchange with a fellow athlete.

Although Pistorius, whose nickname is Blade Runner, didn't advance to the finals, he kept a positive outlook on the event and even exchanged race bibs with Kirani James of Grenada, the current world champion, according to NBC.

"As soon as we crossed the finish line, we're friends," Pistorius said of James. "It was very kind of him. We share a similar life. It's what the Olympics is all about."

It's OK to grab a tissue now, if you haven't already.