South Africa’s 4x400 metres relay team — including douple amputee “blade runner” Oscar Pistorius — has been advanced into the Olympic final because they were obstructed by another team, the ruling athletics body IAAF said on Thursday.
“The Jury of Appeal 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,” it said.
South Africa’s second man, Ofentse Mogawane, collided with Kenyan rival Vincent Mumo Kilo after 700 metres and was unable to continue after a fall.
The Kenyans managed to limp home last, but were disqualified by the judges because Kilo was ruled to have cut across into Mogawane’s path, causing him to fall. South Africa then appealed to be advanced and will now be a ninth team in the final.
