International Paralympic Committee remain ambivalent on Pistorius

The International Paralympic Committee will not make any pronouncement on Oscar Pistorius until the day comes that the South African is selected to compete again for his country, IPC president Philip Craven said.

Speaking to AFP on Monday, just over a year out from the start of the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Englishman Craven acknowledged the IPC will address the issue if need be but insisted now was not the time.

Pistorius, the 28-year-old double amputee sprinter, has won multiple Paralympic gold medals including two at London 2012.

He has been in jail for 10 months over the killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day 2013, but was expected to be freed last week on house arrest.

His parole was delayed pending a review on September 18, but the chances of him returning to top-level sport presently appear slim.

"Until that moment (his return) occurs, I don't think I'm going to be in that position," Craven said when asked how he would react to seeing Pistorius return to the track.

"It's not a question the IPC can answer really because, if he was to come back and be available for competition, or should I say available for selection for his nation, then it's up to his nation to make that consideration first.

"Therefore it's up to South Africa, and until that decision is taken we would not have a position on it. At the moment that doesn't look like it's going to happen, but who knows."

Pistorius was found guilty of culpable homicide, after saying during the trial that he shot Steenkamp through a locked bathroom door because he mistook her for an intruder.

The prosecution has appealed the verdict and is seeking a murder conviction, saying Pistorius deliberately killed Steenkamp after an argument.
Source: AFP