"Emotional rollercoaster" ends for amputee Oscar Pistorius without an Olympic medal

(CBS/AP) Two days after going on an "emotional rollercoaster" just to make the 4x400-meter relay final, Oscar Pistorius will leave the London Olympics without a medal after the double amputee and his South African teammates finished last in the event Friday night.

The South Africans were out of the medals by the time Pistorius took the handoff for the anchor leg, with the Bahamians and Americans already around the second curve. His only hope was catching Venezuela, and he wasn't able to do it. The South Africans finished in 3:03.46, almost seven seconds behind the Bahamas.

Just two days ago, the double-amputee known as "Blade Runner" got a reprieve after track officials awarded an extra spot in the final following a successful protest by South Africa. In the opening round, a Kenyan runner collided with a South African runner as he made his way around the final bend.

In the span of two hours, Pistorius went from crestfallen to celebration when the protest was successful. On Twitter, he said:

In the end, Pistorius' "emotional rollercoaster" came to an end as his team could not beat the odds and win a medal in the relay. But the first amputee to compete in track at the Olympics lived his dream of making it to the London Games and remained grateful to be on the big stage.

"It has been incredible to be here," said Pistorius after the relay. "Just to participate has been great and now I am really looking forward to the Paralympics."