Ex-Olympian, Oscar Pistorius, who served time for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, resumes in competitive racing.
Breaking News from South Africa:
Double amputee and infamous figure, Oscar Pistorius, competes in his first race after a dozen years since the tragic killing of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.
Once a celebrated athlete, renowned as the "Blade Runner," Pistorius enthralled the world with his 6 gold medal wins across three Paralympic Games and his trailblazing performance at the 2012 London Olympics. However, on Valentine's Day 2013, his life took a dark turn, with the model Reeva Steenkamp's fatal shooting at his home in a gated community in Pretoria.
Pistorius, now 38, was initially convicted of culpable homicide, serving five years in prison. Later, he was upgraded to a murder conviction following an appeal by prosecutors, extending his sentence to 13 years and five months. He finally walked out of prison, having served over half his sentence, in January 2024.
Recently, Pistorius stirred buzz by joining the grueling Isuzu IRONMAN 70.3 race in Durban. Results show he clocked an impressive time of 5:56:39, securing a third-place podium finish in the physically challenged category. The triathlon included a 1.24-mile swim, 55.9-mile bike ride, and 13-mile run.
Adding fuel to the fire, Pistorius' lawyer, Conrad Dormhel, confirmed the participation to the Reuters news agency. Although Pistorius has been living at his uncle's home in Pretoria since his release, this marks his bold reentry into competitive sports, sparking intrigue and controversy in equal measure.
Debates surround the question of whether Oscar Pistorius obtained the required authorization from the Department of Correctional Services to participate in the triathlon. While anonymous sources suggest he received approval from his parole officer, there is no official confirmation on the matter.
Reeva SteenkampOlympicsAthleticsMurderParalympicsOscar PistoriusIronman
- Sarah Carter
- Sarah Carter is an award-winning our News producer based in Johannesburg, South Africa. With her extensive experience since 1997, she's had the privilege to work for esteemed organizations such as The New York Times, National Geographic, PBS Frontline, and NPR before joining our News.
- Sarah Carter, an award-winning journalist, is delving into the complex legalities surrounding Oscar Pistorius' participation in the Isuzu IRONMAN 70.3 race, involving the question of whether he obtained the necessary authorization from the Department of Correctional Services.
- As the sports world eagerly watches Pistorius' bold comeback, the court system may soon decide on the legality of his competition, potentially impacting his image and re-entry into the professional sports world.
