‘Blade Runner’ edged

Oscar Pistorius’ four-year quest to run in the 400 meters at the London Olympics came down to less than a quarter-second at the end. That’s how close the “Blade Runner” was to carving out his place in history. The South African double-amputee (pictured right) missed out on qualifying in his individual event by 0.22 seconds on Friday in his last chance ahead of next month’s games. Silver at the African Championships and a first major individual medal in an able-bodied race was only small consolation for the world’s most famous disabled athlete. He still should be picked for South Africa’s 1,600 relay team, but the dream of testing himself against the world’s best runners over one lap in Olympic Stadium is gone for Pistorius, for now.

– Associated Press