South Africa back in 4x400 relay final after appeal
Image by: DAVID GRAY / REUTERS
The South African men's 4 x 400m relay team get a second chance at the London Olympics Games after a successful appeal for reinstatement, following their failure to finish their heat on Thursday.
Double amputee Oscar Pistorius's historic Olympic campaign gained a reprieve on Thursday as South Africa were given a place in Saturday's 4x400m relay final on appeal.
Pistorius, 25, thought his adventure had come to an end when second leg runner Ofentse Mogawane fell on the bend into the home straight after tangling with Kenya's Vincent Kiilu.
However, Kenya were subsequently disqualified, prompting South Africa to appeal.
"The Jury of Appeal met and 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," said the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) in a statement.
"South Africa will run as an additional team in lane 9."
The final will take place Friday at 22:20 SA time.
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