By Tom Degun

Alan Oliveira London 2012May 30 - Brazilian double leg amputee star Alan Oliveira admits that he has his sights firmly set on gold in the men's 200 metres T43/44 at the 2013 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Athletics Championships in July.


The 20-year-old from Pará produced arguably the standout performance of the London 2012 Paralympics as he claimed victory in the 200m T44 as he snatched the title from the two-time 200m T44 Paralympic and world champion Oscar Pistorius of South Africa.

In that thrilling final, which saw Oliveira come from well behind to beat Pistorius on the line, the Brazilian clocked a blistering 21.45sec.

The time was just 0.15 offthe T43 world record set by Pistorius in the heats, but Oliveira believes he has what it takes to make that record his own in Lyon when he the World Championships take place at the Stade de Parilly from July 19 to 28.

"It's a dream to be the world champion and of course to get the best time in the world as well," he said as the event celebrated its 50 day countdown.

"If it comes at the same time it's better.

"But if not, I need to be patient and each thing will come at the right time - but it's definitely possible."

Following his win at London 2012, Oliveira has received numerous accolades - including Brazil's Order of Merit - and come under huge media scrutiny; which he admits has not been easy to deal with.

"It can be hard when you win a gold medal and your life doesn't carry on in the same way," he said.

"Life changed a lot, especially in the beginning of the year.

"At the time I couldn't reconcile with it.

"But now it's much better and I am able to train and I am ready to train even more to be ready for the World Championships.

"There is definitely much more pressure upon me.

"But I really like the pressure and it will really motivate me to go ahead and get the best results.

"I just try to do my work and do my training, and worry about the competitions - nothing else."
 
Alan-OliveiraAlan Oliveira produced one of the highlights of the London 2012 Paralympic Games as he defeated favourite Oscar Pistorius in the men’s 200m T44

Oliveira's biggest threat in Lyon is likely to come from the likes of South Africa's Paralympic 100m T44 bronze medallist Arnu Fourie and America's Paralympic 200m T44 bronze medallist Blake Leeper, but the Brazilian claimed he is not worried by his rivals.

"For me, it is much better to have stronger competition as that means Paralympic sport is growing much more," he said.

"I know there are loads of athletes that want to beat me in the race but that is the right thing.

"If I had won the silver medal in London, I would be training hard to win the gold medal so that is what is happening to the other athletes.

"But I'm not worried about the other athletes,

"I'm just looking forward to my work and nothing else."

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