Dream over for 'Blade Runner'

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.