Amputee Pistorius qualifies for 400m semi

South African Oscar Pistorius made history on Saturday when he became the first double amputee to compete in an athletics event at the Olympics.

The 25-year-old qualified for the semi-finals of the 400 metres by running a season’s best of 45.44 seconds in finishing second.

Pistorius, who had both legs amputated below the knee before he was one year old because of a congenital condition, runs on carbon fibre blades.

He is also due to run in the 4x400m relay at the Games.