Oscar Pistorius may yet compete at 2016 Rio Paralympics

Oscar Pistorius will be allowed to compete at the 2016 Paralympic Games if he is not in jail, the International Paralympic Committee has revealed. The South African was found guilty of culpable homicide on Friday after it was ruled that he killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp by mistake. Sentencing will take place on October 13, but Pistorius could compete in Rio if he has served his sentence. “Oscar would need to decide first whether he wanted to compete and then he would need to be selected by the South African National Paralympic Committee,” said IPC spokesman Craig Spence.

We wouldn’t stand in his way. Providing he serves his sentence then he will be free to compete in IPC competitions going forward.

IPC spokesman Craig Spence

Pistorious, nicknamed Blade Runner, won six gold medals at three Paralympic Games and made history by becoming the first amputee sprinter to compete at the Olympics. Though Pistorius was acquitted of the most serious charges, he was guilty of culpable homicide. Under South African law, this carries a penalty of anything from a suspended sentence to several years behind bars.

Steenkamp Sports