Pistorius fails to qualify for 400 metres final

By AFP

South Africa South Africa's double amputee runner Oscar Pistorius competes in the men's 400m semi-finals. By Olivier Morin AFP

AUG 5, 2012 LISTEN

South Africa's double amputee runner Oscar Pistorius competes in the men's 400m semi-finals. By Olivier Morin (AFP)

LONDON (AFP) - South African double amputee Oscar Pistorius failed to qualify for the Olympic Games men's 400m final on Sunday.

The 25-year-old 'Blade Runner' had on Saturday become the first double amputee to compete in an athletics event at the Olympics, but he was never in contention in his semi-final and finished last in a time of 46.54sec.

Pistorius, who had timed a season's best in the heat of 45.44sec, will have another chance to compete at the Olympics as he runs in the 4x400m relay later in the week.

'The Blade Runner', as he is known because he runs on carbon fibre blades, fought a long battle to be allowed to run in the Olympics.

A panel of experts finally declared he could compete as long as he used the same pair of blades he used in the Paralympic Games.