Double-amputee Oscar Pistorius gets one last chance to qualify for Olympics

South Africa's Oscar Pistorius competes in the men's 400 meters semi-finals at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships in Daegu on August 29, 2011. / ANTONIN THUILLIER/AFP/Getty Images

(AP) PORTO NOVO, Benin - Double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius has one last chance to qualify for the 400 meters at the Olympics after making the final in the African Championships.

Pistorius finished in 46.14 seconds to place second in his semifinal Thursday and qualify for Friday's final, when he has to post a 45.30 or better to be eligible in his individual event.

The window for South African athletes to qualify for the London Games closes Saturday.

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Pistorius has posted the Olympic standard this season with a 45.20 in Pretoria in March, but South Africa's track federation wants athletes to run qualifying times twice and at least once at an international meet to be considered for the games.

In April at the South African championships, Pistorius was asked if he was thinking about London.

"I'm flirting a little bit with the idea," Pistorius told The AP while trackside. "The team still has to get selected. My job is just to work hard until then and prove I'm in the right condition to be quite a strong 400 meter athlete if I get called up."

[Drivelphobe001]

How absurd. He should be watching in the stands not competing. It is not an even match up and I believe the double amputee has an unfair advantage. How about the special Olympics for this guy. What's wrong with people. Does he think he has a "right" to be in the Olympics? I admire his gumption, but he is seriously misguided as are any who support him in his Olympic pursuit.

[Davisrad]

Even if he doesn't make the final cut, just being able to compete at that level is truly amazing & an inspiration for the rest of us. Good Luck Oscar, now and wherever else your life takes you!

[lesserof2evil]

I agree that he's inspirational, but his participation in the Olympic games does not make sense. Where is the line that his prosthetic limbs are an advantage or disadvantage in the race?