Olympics 2012: Oscar Pistorius denied run as South Africa crash out of relay

London: South African 400 metres runner Oscar Pistorius was denied a second chance of running at the London Olympic Games as his team-mate Oftense Mogawane crashed to the ground in the second leg of the first 4X400 metres relay semi-final.

Pistorius, nicknamed `Blade Runner,` because he runs on carbon fiber prosthetic limbs after having his legs amputated below the knee, made history in the 400 metres earlier in the Games when he became the first runner with prosthetic limbs to compete in the Olympic Games, reports Xinhua. He qualified for the semi-finals, receiving an ovation from the fans in the Olympic stadium for his efforts. Sadly his participation will now be limited to just that event after Mogawane, who was running second in the 4X400 metres fell and injured his shoulder following a collision with Kenya`s Vincent Kilu as the runners approached the finishing straight. Kilu was eventually able to get up and continue, although Kenya finished behind the rest of the field, but Pistorius was left helpless waiting for the baton as Mogawane had to be helped from the track and taken away in a wheelchair, clutching his shoulder. The consolation for Blade Runner is that he will also compete in the Paralympic Games, which begin in London at the end of the month. IANS