10 minutes with Oscar Pistorius

Is there anything you can do with blades that you can’t do on legs?

Not really. The ones I’ve got have been made for high-activity sports but there are still a lot of restrictions: for instance, you don’t have that acceleration at the start of the race. I’ve gone through a big battle to prove that my blades aren’t an advantage; all my improvement comes from the sacrifices I make on and off the track.

You made history as the first double amputee to run in the Olympics this year; did you feel the extra pressure?

No, I put so much pressure on myself that external pressure never has much of an influence on me.

What was going through your mind on the starting blocks?

I’ve never smiled before a 400m race in my life but I had cramps in my cheeks because it was so exciting.

One of the most touching moments of London 2012 was when you swapped bib numbers with Olympic champion Kirani James. What did he say to you?

He said: ‘I’d really like to have your bib, if that’s OK,’ and I said: ‘That’s more than OK.’ It was very humbling. That moment really epitomised what the Olympics should be about.

Did the Olympic Village become one big party towards the end of the Games?

On my last night I could hear music until 5am, but for the rest of the time everyone was really focused.

Was there really lots of romance between athletes?

I don’t know about that, I didn’t see anyone hooking up.

What are you most proud of?

My brother and sister are the most important people in my life. My brother is extremely competitive, like me, and my sister is an introvert — maybe she’s the postman’s daughter…

What will you reach for after your last race at the Paralympics?

A pillow and a bed.

Oscar Pistorius is a BT Ambassador. BT is the official communications services partner for the London 2012 Paralympic Games (bt.com/london2012)