Oscar Pistorius (South Africa)

The London 2012 Paralympic Games commences on Wednesday 29 August, and will see more than 4,200 sportsmen and women, from 160 countries, converge on London to compete in 503 events across 21 sports. The games welcome athletes with conditions including mobility disabilities, amputations, blindness, and cerebral palsy, and promise to be a fantastic 12 days of sporting action.

Here at MSN, we've compiled a gallery of 35 of the most inspiring or promising athletes to watch out for at London 2012...

Returning to the Paralympics this summer will be one of the most recognizable and talked about athletes in the world; five-time Paralympic Gold medalist and multi world record holder Oscar Pistorious.

After overcoming much opposition and prejudice in his early career, the world-championship silver medalist made history in August when he became the first amputee track competitor at the Olympics, reaching the semi-finals of the 400m, as well as the final of the 4x400m relay.
The South African will line up in London in the 4x100m relay, as well as defending his T44 100m title in one of the most hotly contested events of the games.