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Oscar Pistorius stayed alive at his first world championships by finishing third in his heat to reach the semi-finals of the 400 metres yesterday.
The South African, dubbed “The Blade Runner”who has had to overcome huge legal and performance obstacles just to be allowed to race in Daegu on his prosthetic legs, delighted the crowd with a strong run of 45.39 seconds from an outside lane.
The crowd rose to the double amputee as he powered down the final straight before a band of his compatriots chanted “Oscar! Oscar!” to confirm the 24-year-old as one of the sentimental favourites of the championships.
Earlier, defending champion LaShawn Merritt of the US had stamped his authority on the event with the fastest time of the year of 44.35 to win his heat in impressive style. The American, also the Olympic champion, had raced just once before yesterday since returning from a 21-month doping suspension in July.
“I’ve never worked harder, it was a little faster than I thought it would be but I was comfortable,” he said.
Merritt confirmed that Pistorius was a favourite not only with the crowd.
“He ran the time to get here, I had a little time to talk to him and he’s a great person with a great personality,” he said. “He’s dedicated and motivated and has a great heart. I wish all the best to him.” Young Grenadans Kirani James (45.12) and Rondell Bartholomew (44.82), the fastest men this year before Merritt’s run yesterday, also eased into today’s semi-finals.