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Pistorius Misses Last Shot at Beijing

Amputee not selected for relay team

By the Associated Press

Posted Jul 18, 2008 9:22 AM CDT
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(AP) – Double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius was not chosen today to be on South Africa's Olympic team for Beijing. After failing to qualify for the 400 meters earlier, Pistorius was left off the 1,600-meter relay team, the AP reports. Four other South Africans had faster times, and two others were chosen as alternates.

Pistorius won the right to compete in the Games on an appeal in May, but he fell short of the 400 qualifying time of 45.55 seconds, coming within 0.7 seconds. He has said that his legal battles prevented him from focusing on training for Beijing, and that it might be more realistic to aim at qualifying for the 2012 London Games. “We didn't expect him to be granted any special opportunity or anything,” said Pistorius’ manager. “The rules are the rules."

Double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius, of South Africa, smiles prior to the start of the men's 400-meter race.
Double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius, of South Africa, smiles prior to the start of the men's 400-meter race.   (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Oscar Pistorius of South-Africa at rest after the men's 200 meter race at the Dutch Open Paralympics in Emmeloord, The Netherlands, Saturday May 31, 2008.
Oscar Pistorius of South-Africa at rest after the men's 200 meter race at the Dutch Open Paralympics in Emmeloord, The Netherlands, Saturday May 31, 2008.   (AP Photo/Bas Czerwinski)
Double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius.
Double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius.   (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
Oscar Pistorius from South Africa reacts after placing third in the men's 400 meters race at the EAA athletics meeting on Wednesday July, 16, 2008.
Oscar Pistorius from South Africa reacts after placing third in the men's 400 meters race at the EAA athletics meeting on Wednesday July, 16, 2008.   (AP Photo)
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Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.


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2012 London Olympics • South Africa • 2008 Beijing Olympics • Oscar Pistorius • amputees • sprinters

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