South African Oscar Pistorius, who is now in Beijing for the Paralympics Games, aims to take home three gold medals in September.

Oscar Pistorius,a 20-year old double amputee  will race at  the upcoming Beijing Paralympics.[Agencies]

"My goal is to come home with three gold medals," he told to the Pretoria News at a Tuks Sport send-off held at the LC de Villiers sport ground last Tuesday.

The Blade Runner and 100m backstroke leg amputee Emily Gray ,17, left Saturday to Beijing for the Paralympic games from September 6 to 17.

He said his strongest race will be the 400m while the 100m will be the biggest challenge.

To Pistorius, 2008 had been a tough year because of the distraction of fighting the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) to recognise his artificial lower legs.

The IAAF ruled on January 14 this year that Pistorius was ineligible to compete in its competitions, which includes the recent summer games in Beijing.

But the Court of Arbitration for Sport reversed that decision on May 16, ruling that the IAAF had not provided sufficient evidence to prove that Pistorius' prostheses give him an advantage over able-bodied athletes. "There were many people that were critical and had doubts, but this has proved once and for all that I don't have an advantage.

"The timing of the court cases was not great, but I am glad that they are now behind me," he said.

Referring to a recent conversation he had with swimmer Roland Schoeman, who swam a personal best at the Beijing games, Pistorius said: "To be an Olympian is a great achievement, but you cannot compare your ability with those from where you are coming from, you have to compare it against those you are competing against.

"We are improving, but we're not advancing like the rest of the world," he said.

Pistorius said South African athletes should not compare themselves to those they compete against at home, but rather against those they will fight against on the world arena.

Emily said she has already accomplished her goal by qualifying to compete in the games. "Now I want to go there and have fun and swim hard. If I get into the finals it will be great. If I win anything it will be fantastic," she said.

Her dad Bob and mom Lesley will support her in Beijing while her three older sisters will support her from South Africa.

Pistorius said his preparations and training, although strained because of the year's events, were on track and his morale was high.

"I think I will fulfil my dream," he said.