Athletics: ‘Blade Runner’ suffers new world blow

South Africa’s ‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius failed in his latest attempt to register a qualifying time for the 400 metres at next month’s world championships. The 24-year-old was third in a time of 46.65 seconds, still outside the 45.25 seconds time that he needs to compete in the championships in Daegu, South Korea in August. Jamaica’s Lansford Spence won the race in 46.34, with Martyn Rooney of Great Britain taking second spot in 46.36. Pistorius, who has a best time in the 400 metres of 45.61 seconds, now has one more chance to break the qualifying barrier in Lignano today.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 19^th, 2011.