Runar Steinstad

Steinstad first represented Norway at the 2000 Summer Paralympics in Sydney, entering the long jump, 100 metre sprint and javelin throw events (F42). In the subsequent Paralympics after Sydney, Steinstad dropped the long jump and sprint events and focused on the javelin.[2] He competed at both the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens and the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, finishing in the javelin sixth and tenth respectively.[2] Paralympic success came in the 2012 Games in London, where he threw a distance of 48.90 to claim the bronze medal.[2]

As well as his Paralympic appearances, Steinstad has also been part of six Norwegian teams to compete at the IPC Athletics World Championships, beginning in Birmingham, England in 1998 and has successfully qualified for the subsequent five games, taking him up to Doha in 2015. At the World Championships he has won a silver and two bronze medals, all in the javelin throw.[2]

Steinstad was born in Bø, Norway in 1967. Whilst a teenager, Steinstad was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer). His left leg was amputated above the knee to treat the disease.[2]