Controversial amputee in NYC as Olympic dream hits final sprint

“I do not run like a man running aimlessly.” — 1 Corinthians 9:26

The Bible verse is tattooed right there on his left shoulder, a souvenir from an earlier visit to a SoHo tattoo parlor.

But when South African runner Oscar Pistorius returns to the city Saturday on Randall’s Island, it will be clear that the inked mantra goes without saying: The double amputee will attempt to run the 400 meters in 45.30 seconds, earning a guaranteed spot in this summer’s Olympics in London and becoming the first Paralympic athlete to compete in the Games.

Qualifying may be within his grasp. Born without either calf bone called the fibula, Pistorius, 25, lost both legs below the knee at age 11. Four years later, he lost his mother. He became a competitive athlete despite it all — and after a rugby injury turned him to running, he never turned back.

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ON THE RUN: South African Oscar Pistorius comes out of the starting blocks during his men’s 400-meter heat at the IAAF World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, on Aug. 28, 2011. His last chance to become the first Paralympian to qualify for the London Olympics comes in Saturday’s meet at Randall’s Island.

He ran a personal best of 45.07 last July to reach the semis at the World Championship and a 45.20 in Pretoria in March. But according to South Africa’s strict qualifying standards, he must meet the Olympic A standard of 45.30 again before the end of the month.

After a sore hip and a string of subpar races — the latest a 46.86 at last Saturday’s Prefontaine Classic — he already has entered the 400 meters in the African Championship at month’s end just in case. But his last best chance may come at the adidas Grand Prix at Icahn Stadium.

“Ultimately, I’m in very good shape, feeling quite strong,’’ Pistorius told The Post. “I’m pretty sure it’ll be quick in New York. We’ve got a second chance.’’

The debate over whether he should be eligible for Olympic competition will be harder to win. He’s been nicknamed “Blade Runner” for the J-shaped carbon-fiber prostheses he wears called the Flex-Foot Cheetah — but others have used less fond labels.

Several of his competitors have chafed at his use of modern technology. Reigning Olympic 400 champ LaShawn Merritt — who served a 21-month ban from racing for a positive steroid test — has voiced concerns over prosthetic limbs and the use of technology, saying, “I just hope the federation keeps track of what is happening with him just so it is fair.”

“I spoke to him after that,” Pistorius said. “I know he doesn’t mean any ill intent. He’s a friend of mine.’’

In the spring of 2007, the International Association of Athletics Foundation (IAAF) amended its rules to ban the use of “any technical device that incorporates springs, wheels or any other element” from its meets. That November, Pistorius took part in a series of tests at the Cologne Sports University, which concluded that his limbs used 25 percent less energy than normal legs.

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Oscar Pistorius, IAAF World Championships, Daegu, South Korea, Pistorius, South Africa, London Olympics

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