Summary Pistorius will feature at the Sydney Track Classic on March 9.
SYDNEY: South African runner Oscar Pistorius, known as the "Blade Runner" for his carbon fibre blades, has been confirmed to race in Australia, officials said Monday.
The double amputee will compete in the Sydney and Perth instalments of the 2013 Australian Athletics Tour in March.
"Having never competed in Australia before, I am very excited to line up in Sydney and Perth," Pistorius said.
"I plan to be in pretty solid form when I arrive and it would be great to start my season in style at the meet."
The news is a coup for Athletics Australia after Olympic gold medallist and world 100m hurdles champion Sally Pearson earlier this month revealed an ongoing back problem would see her skip much of the domestic series.
Pistorius, the first double amputee to compete in the Olympics when he ran in the 400 metres in London, will feature at the Sydney Track Classic on March 9 and the Go for 2&5 Perth Track Classic on March 16.
The South African, who reached the 400m semi-finals in London and also ran in the 4x400m relay final in the able-bodied Games, was also the face of the 2012 Paralympic Games.
"I don t even know where to begin when describing the past 12 months," he said.
"The Olympics were phenomenal and to be lucky enough to back that up with an amazing few weeks at the Paralympic Games was out of this world."
Athletics Australia said discussions were under way to bring other key athletes out for the tour.
