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August 10, 2012

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Pistorius gets a chance after winning appeal

DOUBLE amputee Oscar Pistorius's landmark Olympic campaign gained a reprieve yesterday as South Africa was given a place in today's 4x400m relay final on appeal.

"IT'S ON!! We in the FINAL. Team management Protested as Ofentse was taken out and we have been given Lane 9!! @ljvanzyl to take his place!!!" tweeted Pistorius.

"Will be up on the 3rd leg tomorrow for the Final! Really can't wait"

Pistorius, 25, thought his adventure had come to an end when second leg runner Ofentse Mogawane fell on the bend into the home straight after tangling with Kenya's Vincent Kiilu. Mogawane suffered a dislocated left shoulder.

While Kiilu said he had been spiked his team agreed he was at fault, having viewed the video evidence, after the organizers disqualified Kenya on account of Kiilu's actions. That prompted South Africa to appeal.

"The Jury of Appeal met and agreed to advance the South African team to the final, even though they did not finish the race, considering that they had been severely damaged in the incident with Kenya," the IAAF statement said. "South Africa will run as an additional team in lane 9."

Pistorius, who made history when he became the first double amputee to compete in the athletics at an Olympics in the 400m individual heats last Saturday, had summed up how disappointed he was after the heat.

"I can't tell you how disappointed I feel. 11/10 if I had to give a number," said Pistorius.

There was no such luck for Jamaican athletes after they failed to secure a spot in the finals.





 

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