Pistorius qualifies for semifinals in 400 metres

South Africa's Oscar Pistorius prepares to start in a men's 400-meter heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics on Saturday.

Oscar Pistorius of South Africa became the first amputee to compete on the track at an Olympics, finishing second in his 400-meter heat Saturday to advance to the next round.

Pistorius, a double-amputee who runs on carbon-fiber blades, circled the oval in 45.44 seconds good enough for second place in his heat and a berth in the semifinals on Sunday night.

Pistorius waged a long fight to run in the Olympics against able-bodied opponents and finally got that chance on a sunny morning in front of a sellout crowd at Olympic Stadium.

Pistorius was born without fibulas and his legs were amputated below the knee before he was a year old.