Oscar Pistorius free to run for South Africa

The double amputee sprinter, due to be sentenced next month after being found guilty of the culpable homicide of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, could compete at any time because the committee has no regulations barring someone with a criminal record.

Oscar Pistorius potentially faces up to 15 years in prison after being convicted of the South African equivalent of manslaughter, but could receive a suspended sentence and avoid jail altogether when he returns to court on 13th October.

Tubby Reddy, chief of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic committee, said that, as long as judge Thokozile Masipa does not make any ruling that prevents it, Pistorius is at liberty to run for South Africa again. The International Paralympic Committee has said he could resume his career once he has served any sentence, describing him as "a fundamental ambassador of the Paralympic movement".

Pistorius, 27, is known to be working out regularly to maintain fitness. Last year he was cleared to run overseas after appealing his bail terms, but chose not to while he focused on his murder trial.

His agent, Peet van Zyl, said competing now was not an option but he and Pistorius would “sit down and take stock” after his sentencing hearing. “It’s all up to Oscar,” he said. “He must decide.”

Meanwhile, it has emerged that security for Ms Masipa has been stepped up in the wake of her decision to acquit Pistorius of murder. South Africa’s City Press newspaper said the police’s tactical response team is stationed outside her home and “escorts her wherever she goes, and checks on her every hour”. It quoted a source saying the officers had been “extra cautious” since the judgment.

Guardian News Service