Pistorius gives up on world championships

ROME (Reuters) - Double amputee Oscar Pistorius has given up trying to qualify for the 400 meters at the world athletics championships in Berlin next month.

The South African, who has been attempting to make the qualifying mark for Berlin, also failed to reach last year's Beijing Olympics having won a long battle over the right to compete with able-bodied athletes.

"Having not made the minimum qualifying time, I must resign myself to staying at home," the Paralympian told reporters in Rome on Sunday, adding that reaching the London 2012 Olympics remained his dream.

(Reporting by Mark Meadows; Editing by Nigel Hunt)