There was no Hollywood ending for double amputee Oscar Pistorius in the 400 metres at the world championships on Monday, even if he crossed the line last in his heat to cheers louder than those for most gold medallists.

The South African's battle to overcome a series of legal and performance obstacles and become the first amputee to run at a major championships on his carbon-fibre prosthetic legs has made him a sentimental favourite around the world.

The 40,000 packed into the Daegu Stadium gave the "Blade Runner" a rousing welcome when he came out on the track for the third and last semifinal of the evening, just as they had when he qualified through the heats on Sunday.

The 24-year-old needed to finish in the top four to have a chance of a place in the final, but when he came around the final bend he was battling for last place with Demetrius Pinder of the Bahamas.

Pinder pulled away to leave Pistorius to cross the line at the back of the field in 46.19 seconds, more than a second outside his personal best of 45.07. Despite finishing last, Pistorius, who had expected to struggle to reach the final, was certainly not disappointed with his second race at a major international championships.

"I worked extremely hard to get here," he said. "I'm happy with my performance tonight ... not as quick as I wanted to be but it's great to have this platform to run on and it's been an unbelievable experience. I'll be back for the relay."

American LaShawn Merritt, returning from a ban for a doping violation, was again the quickest of the qualifiers in 44.76 as he was in the heats when he ran the best time of the year.

Jamaican Jermaine Gonzalez was second in 44.99. The final takes place today.

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 08/30/2011 page24)