4th June, 2012
Time is running out for double amputee Oscar Pistorius to qualify for his specialist event at the London Olympics after he again failed in his bid on Saturday night.
Pistorius, the only South African taking part at the meeting, finished eighth in the men’s 400 metres race at the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League event in Eugene, Oregon.
The ‘Blade Runner’, who clocked 46.86 seconds, was again well outside the Olympic qualifying standard of 45.30 – a mark he must reach by the end of June if he hopes to compete in the individual one-lap sprint at the able-bodied Games.
Olympic champion LaShawn Merritt won the race in 44.93.
Pistorius clocked 45.20 at the Gauteng North provincial championships in Pretoria in March.
According to South Africa’s strict qualifying standards, however, he must set the required time once more before the deadline closes.
He still stands a chance, nonetheless, of competing in South Africa’s 4x400m relay team at the London Games.
Pistorius made history at last year’s World Athletics Championships in Daegu, South Korea, when he became the first amputee track athlete to win a medal at the global showpiece, after competing in the relay heats.
South Africa went on to secure the silver medal, though Pistorius was controversially omitted from the quartet that lined up in the final.