Oscar Pistorius insists his year will not be defined simply by whether or not he competes at the London Olympics.
The South African double-amputee sprinter, who runs on carbon fibre prosthetic blades, is aiming to make history this summer by featuring in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Pistorius posted an Olympic 'A' qualifying standard time last year and went on to represent his country at the 2011 World Championships in Daegu in the 400 metres and 4x400m relay, collecting a silver medal in the latter event.
He then managed to run inside the 'A' standard again two months ago, although it seems the 25-year-old will be required to meet the qualifying time once more before the end of June to be eligible for the individual 400m at the Olympics.
His next opportunity to do that comes at the end of the week in Ostrava and Pistorius is confident he can achieve what is needed in the time he has left.
He is also keen to stress, though, that making the Olympics is not the be-all and end-all for him in 2012 and that the Paralympics - in which he is a four-time gold medallist and reigning champion in the T44 100m, 200m and 400m - remains hugely important to him.
Speaking at an event to preview this week's BT Paralympic World Cup in Manchester and mark 100 days until the Paralympic Games, Pistorius said: "I don't think it (the Olympics) will define my year. I am looking forward to the Paralympic Games.
"It (the Olympics) has definitely been a goal of mine for many years and one that I have been working very hard towards.
"With the work I did last season and this season and with the qualification times I have run, I am pretty happy with the performances I have put in so far.
"Hopefully I will obtain the chance to run in London later in the year in both of the Games."
Pistorius, who is a multiple champion at the Paralympic World Cup and is competing in the T44 200m in Manchester tomorrow, feels the profile of disability sport is at an all-time high.
"In South Africa, we have never had a Paralympic Games that has had this much hype, even a year out," Pistorius said.
"Now we are 100 days out everyone is talking about it and excited. I get messages on Twitter saying 'I can't wait to watch you run', 'I've got tickets'.
"I think for the very first time, some people are more excited to come to the Paralympics than some who are excited about going to the Olympics. I think that is pretty special."
He added: "The Paralympic movement is so far past the point of just being inspirational.
"It is not about an athlete doing well for someone who is disabled - they have done well full-stop, and I think that is what is awesome about it.
"The level of competition and performance has been raised to such a point that it is seen as professional, hardcore sport.
"That is where we have needed it to be and where it finally is for the first time. I am unbelievably excited to have a Paralympic Games like that."
The Paralympic World Cup, now in its eighth year, runs from May 22-26 in Manchester, featuring athletics, wheelchair basketball, seven-a-side football and boccia.
