IAAF softens qualifying standards in six events
A handout picture obtained from the London 2012 organizing committee (LOCOG) taken on November 22, 2011 shows South African athlete Oscar Pistorius (C) posing for a picture with Tanzanian children in Arusha. Credit: Getty Images
MONACO -- The road for double-amputee runner Oscar Pistorius to reach the London Games has been made slightly easier because the IAAF softened its Olympic qualifying standards for the 400 meters.
The South African now faces a qualifying time of 45.30 seconds, up 0.05 seconds from the earlier standard. Pistorius' top time is 45.07, a mark he set this year.
If he qualifies, Pistorius will be one of the biggest draws at the Olympics. He won a silver medal in the 4x400 relay at this year's world championships.
The IAAF says the standards for the men's 400 and the women's 400, 5,000, 400 hurdles, shot put and javelin were slightly lowered to make qualifying easier and to make sure it reaches its target of 2,000 track and field competitors at the London Games.
