Former South African President Nelson Mandela has met the country's Paralympic and Olympic teams to congratulate them for their performances at the Beijing Olympic Games.

Mandela had requested to see the athletes to thank them for flying the country's flag. South Africa's Paralympic team shone at the games, with stand-out performances from swimmer Natalie du Toit and runner Oscar Pistorius.

The team earned 21 gold, three silver and six bronze medals and finished in sixth place overall. Known as "Blade Runner" for his J-shaped carbon-fibre prostheses, Pistorius won three gold medals in Beijing. He talks about meeting with Mandela.

South African athlete Oscar Pistorius said, "From the moment he walked into through the door, I couldn't stop smiling even though I think I'm kind of dumbstruck. For all the lives he's changed, it's such a privilege to be able to meet a man like that. He just walks into a room and everybody's spirits lift and I think that's something unbelievable and will remain with me for the rest of my life."

(CCTV October 5, 2008)