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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 9:15 a.m., Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Olympics: Amputee Pistorius fails to get qualifying time

Associated Press

LUCERNE, Switzerland — Double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius fell short of the 400-meter qualifying time for the Beijing Olympics despite running a personal best today.

The 21-year-old South African finished third in 46.25 seconds. That is 11 hundredths of a second faster than he ever ran before, but still outside the Olympic qualifying standard of 45.55.

It was the final chance for Pistorius to impress the South African selectors, but they can still choose to invite him on a six-man roster for the 1,600-meter relay.

The South African team for the Aug. 8-24 Beijing Games will be picked on Thursday or Friday.