Oscar Pistorius

Oscar Leonard Carl Pistorius (/pɪsˈtɔːriəs/; Afrikaans: [pisˈtɔrjus]; born 22 November 1986) is a South African former professional sprinter and convicted murderer. In 2015 he was found guilty for the 2013 murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.[10]

Oscar Pistorius
Pistorius after a race in the Second Kamila Skolimowska Memorial in Warsaw, September 2011
Personal information
Full nameOscar Leonard Carl Pistorius
Nickname(s)Blade Runner; the fastest man on no legs; "Oz" Pistorius[1]
NationalitySouth African
Born (1986-11-22) 22 November 1986
Sandton, Johannesburg, Transvaal Province, South Africa (now Gauteng Province)
Alma materUniversity of Pretoria
Years active2004–2013
Height1.05 m (3 ft 5 1⁄4 in) without prosthetics[2]
Weight80.6 kg (178 lb) (2007)[3]
Sport
CountrySouth Africa
SportRunning
DisabilityDouble below-knee amputee
Disability classT43 (competed in T44)
Event(s)Sprints (100, 200, 400 m)
Achievements and titles
World finals2005 Paralympic World Cup: 100 m (T44) – Gold; 200 m (T44) – Gold
National finals2007 South African Senior Athletics Championships: 400 m (T44) – Gold
Paralympic finals2004 Summer Paralympics: 100 m (T44) – Bronze; 200 m (T44) – Gold

2008 Summer Paralympics: 100 m (T44) – Gold, 200 m (T44) – Gold; 400 m (T44) – Gold

2012 Summer Paralympics: 200 m (T44) – Silver; 4 × 100 m relay – Gold; Men's 400 m (T44) – Gold
Highest world ranking100 m: 1st (2008)[4]

200 m: 1st (2008)[5]

400 m: 1st (2008)[6]
Personal best(s)100 m (T44): 10.91 s (2007, WR)[7]

200 m (T44): 21.30 s (2012, WR)[8]

400 m: 45.07 s[9]
Medal record
Men's Paralympic athletics
Representing  South Africa
Paralympic Games
2004 Athens 200 m (T44)
2008 Beijing 100 m (T44)
2008 Beijing 200 m (T44)
2008 Beijing 400 m (T44)
2012 London 400 m (T44)
2012 London 4 × 100 m relay (T42–T46)
2012 London 200 m (T44)
2004 Athens 100 m (T44)
IPC World Championships
2011 Christchurch 4 × 100 m relay (T42–T46)
Men's athletics
IAAF World Championships
2011 Daegu 4 × 400 m relay
African Championships
2012 Porto-Novo 400 m
2012 Porto-Novo 4 × 400 m relay
Updated on 29 August 2018.

Both of Pistorius' feet had been amputated when he was 11 months old due to a congenital defect. When he was born he was missing the outside of both feet along with both fibula bones in his legs. Pistorius ran in both non-disabled sprint events and in sprint events for below-knee amputees. He was the tenth athlete to compete at both the Paralympic Games and Olympic Games.

After becoming a Paralympic champion, Pistorius attempted to enter non-disabled international competitions, over persistent objections by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and charges that his artificial limbs gave an unfair advantage. Pistorius eventually prevailed in this legal dispute. At the 2011 World Championships in Athletics, Pistorius became the first amputee to win a non-disabled world track medal. At the 2012 Summer Olympics, Pistorius became the first double-leg amputee to participate in the Olympic Games.

On 14 February 2013, Pistorius fatally shot his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, in his Pretoria home. He claimed he had mistaken Steenkamp for an intruder hiding in the bathroom, but he was arrested and charged with murder. At his trial the following year, Pistorius was found not guilty of murder, but guilty of culpable homicide.[11][12][13] He received a five-year prison sentence for culpable homicide and a concurrent three-year suspended prison sentence for a separate reckless endangerment conviction.[14][15]

He was temporarily released on house arrest in 2015 while the case was presented to a panel at the Supreme Court of Appeal, which overturned the culpable homicide verdict and convicted him of murder.[16] In July 2015, Judge Thokozile Masipa extended Pistorius' sentence to six years.[17] On appeal by the state for a longer prison sentence, the Supreme Court of Appeal more than doubled Pistorius' prison term to 13 years and five months.[18]

Early life

Oscar Leonard Carl Pistorius was born to Henke and Sheila Pistorius on 22 November 1986 in Sandton, Johannesburg, in what was then Transvaal Province (now Gauteng Province) of South Africa.[1] He grew up in a Christian home[19] and has an elder brother, Carl, and a younger sister, Aimée.[20][21] Pistorius credits his mother, who died at the age of 43 when Pistorius was 15 years old, as a major influence in his life.[22][23] Pistorius is a white South African with Italian ancestry from his maternal great-grandfather, who was an Italian emigrant to Kenya.[24] He is of Afrikaner ethnicity with Afrikaans as a mother tongue and is also fluent in English.[25][26][27]

Pistorius was born with fibular hemimelia (congenital absence of the fibula) in both legs. When he was eleven months old, both of his legs were amputated halfway between his knees and ankles.[3] He attended Constantia Kloof Primary School[28] and Pretoria Boys High School,[1][29] where he played rugby union in the school's third XV team.[30] He played water polo and tennis at provincial level between the ages of 11 and 13.[30] In addition, Pistorius took part in club Olympic wrestling,[30][31][32] and trained at Jannie Brooks' garage gym in Pretoria. Brooks remarked that it took six months before he noticed that Pistorius "had no legs" but nonetheless was able to do many exercises including "boxing, skipping and doing press-ups".[33]

After a serious rugby knee injury in June 2003, he was introduced to running in January 2004 while undergoing rehabilitation at the University of Pretoria's High Performance Centre[34] with coach Ampie Louw, and "never looked back".[30] His first racing blades were fitted by South African prosthetist Francois van der Watt. Because he was unable to find suitable running blades in Pretoria, Van der Watt ordered the pair to be made by a local engineer. However, as these quickly broke, Van der Watt referred Pistorius to American prosthetist and Paralympic sprinter Brian Frasure to be fitted for blades by Icelandic company Össur.[35][36]

Pistorius began studying for a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.)[20] in business management with sports science at the University of Pretoria in 2006.[30][31][37] In a June 2008 interview for his University's website, he joked: "I won't graduate soon. With all the training I have had to cut down on my subjects. Hopefully I'll finish by the time I'm 30!"[20] Asked by a journalist for his "sporting motto", he said: "You're not disabled by the disabilities you have, you are able by the abilities you have."[30]

Sporting career
Pistorius taking part in the Landsmót ungmennafélags Íslands in Kópavogur, Iceland, in July 2007

Pistorius competed in T44 (single below-knee amputees) events though he is classified in T43 (double below-knee amputee).[38] Sometimes referred to as the "Blade Runner" and "the fastest man on no legs",[32][39][40] Pistorius took part in the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens and came third overall in the T44[32] 100-metre event.[41] Despite falling in the preliminary round for the 200 metres, he qualified for the final.[42] He went on to win the final in a world record time of 21.97 seconds, beating a pair of American runners, Marlon Shirley and Brian Frasure, both with single amputations.[41]

In 2005, Pistorius finished sixth in the non-disabled South African Championships over 400 metres with a world-record time of 47.34 seconds,[32] and at the Paralympic World Cup in the same year, he won gold in the 100 metres and 200 metres, beating his previous 200-metre world record.[43][44] At the 2006 IPC Athletics World Championships, Pistorius won gold in the 100-, 200- and 400-metre events, breaking the world record over 200 metres.[45] On 17 March 2007, he set a disability sports world record for the 400 metres (46.56 seconds) at the South African Senior Athletics Championships in Durban;[46] and at the Nedbank Championships for the Physically Disabled held in Johannesburg in April 2007. He became the world record holder of the 100- and 200-metre events with times of 10.91 and 21.58 seconds, respectively.[7][47]

Pistorius was invited by the IAAF to take part in what would have been his first international non-disabled event, the 400-metre race at the IAAF Grand Prix in Helsinki, Finland, in July 2005. He was unable to attend, however, because of school commitments.[48] On 13 July 2007, Pistorius ran in the 400-metre race at Rome's Golden Gala and finished second in run B with a time of 46.90 seconds, behind Stefano Braciola who ran 46.72 seconds.[49] This was a warm-up for his appearance at the 400 metres at the Norwich Union British Grand Prix at the Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield on 15 July 2007.[50] As American Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner stumbled at the start of the race and stopped running, Pistorius took seventh place in a field of eight in wet conditions with a time of 47.65 seconds. However, he was later disqualified for running outside his lane. The race was won by American Angelo Taylor with a time of 45.25 seconds.[51][52] Pistorius had ambitions of competing in other non-disabled events. In particular, he had set his sights on competing at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China,[53] but was ultimately not selected by the South African Olympic Committee.

Dispute over prosthetics
Pistorius in his prosthetics at an International Paralympic Day event in Trafalgar Square, London, on 8 September 2011
The South African newspaper The Citizen announcing the IAAF's decision to bar Pistorius from its competitions – photographed in Johannesburg on 16 January 2008

Pistorius has been the subject of criticism because of claims that his artificial limbs give him an advantage over runners with natural ankles and feet. He runs with J-shaped carbon-fibre prosthetics called the "Flex-Foot Cheetah" developed by biomedical engineer Van Phillips and manufactured by Össur.[32]

On 26 March 2007, the IAAF amended its competition rules to include a ban on the use of "any technical device that incorporates springs, wheels or any other element that provides a user with an advantage over another athlete not using such a device".[54] The IAAF stated that the amendment was not specifically aimed at Pistorius. To decide whether he was running with an unfair advantage, the IAAF monitored his track performances using high-definition cameras to film his race against Italian club runners in Rome on 13 July, and his 400 metres in Sheffield on 15 July 2007,[39][55] at which he placed last.[52]

In November 2007, Pistorius was invited to take part in a series of scientific tests at the German Sports University Cologne under the guidance of Professor of Biomechanics Dr Peter Brüggemann in conjunction with Elio Locatelli, who was responsible for all technical issues in the IAAF. After two days of tests, Brüggemann reported on his findings on behalf of the IAAF. The report claimed that Pistorius's limbs used 25% less energy than runners with complete natural legs running at the same speed, and that they led to less vertical motion combined with 30% less mechanical work for lifting the body.[56] In December, Brüggemann told Die Welt newspaper that Pistorius "has considerable advantages over athletes without prosthetic limbs who were tested by us. It was more than just a few percentage points. I did not expect it to be so clear."[57] Based on these findings, on 14 January 2008, the IAAF ruled Pistorius's prostheses ineligible for use in competitions conducted under the IAAF rules, including the 2008 Summer Olympics.[58] Pistorius called the decision "premature and highly subjective" and pledged to continue fighting for his dream. His manager, Peet van Zylm said his appeal would be based on advice from experts in the United States who had said that the report "did not take enough variables into consideration".[59]

Pistorius subsequently appealed against the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland, and appeared before the tribunal at the end of April 2008.[60] After a two-day hearing, on 16 May 2008, CAS upheld Pistorius' appeal and the IAAF council decision was revoked with immediate effect. The CAS panel unanimously determined that Brüggemann tested Pistorius' biomechanics only at full-speed when he was running in a straight line (unlike a real 400-metre race); that the report did not consider the disadvantages that Pistorius suffers at the start and acceleration phases of the race; and that overall there was no evidence that he had any net advantage over non-disabled athletes.[61] In response to the announcement, Pistorius said: "My focus throughout this appeal has been to ensure that disabled athletes be given the chance to compete and compete fairly with non-disabled athletes. I look forward to continuing my quest to qualify for the Olympics."[62]

Attempts to qualify for 2008 Summer Olympics

To have a chance of representing South Africa at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing in the individual 400-metre race, Pistorius had to attain the Olympic "A" standard time of 45.55 seconds; the "B" qualifying time of 45.95 seconds, which applies if no other athlete from his country achieved the faster time, did not apply. Each national athletics federation is permitted to enter three athletes in an event if the "A" standard is met, and only one athlete if the "B" standard is met.[63] However, he was eligible for selection as a member of the relay squad without qualifying.[64] His best chance was to try for a time of close to 46 seconds to make the 4 × 400-metre relay team. However, he said: "If I make the team I don't want to be the reserve for the relay, I want to be in the top four. I want to bring something to the race and make the relay stronger." To give him a chance of making the South African Olympic team, selectors delayed naming the team until 17 July.[65]

On 2 July 2008, Pistorius competed in the 400 metres in the B race of the Notturna International in Milan but was "disappointed"[65][66] when he failed to achieve the minimum Olympic qualification time, completing the race in fourth place in 47.78 seconds.[65][67] His performance on 11 July 2008 at the Rome Golden Gala was an improvement of more than a second, though his sixth-place time of 46.62 seconds in the B race was still short of the Olympic qualification time. Nonetheless, he was pleased with his performance, commenting that he felt he could improve on it.[68]

On 15 July 2008, IAAF general secretary Pierre Weiss commented that the world athletics body preferred that the South African Olympic Committee not select Pistorius for its 4 × 400 metres relay team "for reasons of safety", saying that Pistorius could cause "serious damage" and risk the physical safety of himself and other athletes if he ran in the main pack of the relay.[69] Pistorius branded this as the IAAF's "last desperate attempt" to get him not to qualify,[70] and threatened legal action if the IAAF did not confirm that it had no objections to his participation in the relay.[71] The IAAF responded by issuing a statement saying that Pistorius was welcome to seek qualification for the Olympics and future competitions under IAAF rules: "The IAAF fully respects the recent CAS decision regarding the eligibility of Oscar Pistorius to compete in IAAF competitions, and certainly has no wish to influence the South African Olympic Committee, who has full authority to select a men's 4 × 400m relay team for the Beijing Olympics."[72][73]

Coming third, with a personal best time of 46.25 seconds, at the Spitzen Leichtathletik meeting in Lucerne, Switzerland, on 16 July 2008, Pistorius failed to qualify for the 400 metres at the 2008 Summer Olympics by 0.70 seconds. Athletics South Africa later announced that he would also not be selected for the 4 × 400 metres relay team as four other runners had better times.[72][74] Had Pistorius been selected, he would have been one of the first[75] competitors with a leg amputation to participate in the Olympic Games. Pistorius's compatriot Natalie du Toit, a swimmer whose left leg was amputated above the knee after a traffic accident, duly became the first athlete with an amputation to qualify for the 2008 Summer Olympics.[76] Asked about the possibility of the IAAF offering him a wild card to take part in the Olympics, Pistorius responded: "I do not believe that I would accept. If I have to take part in the Beijing Games I should do it because I qualified." He expressed a preference for focusing on qualification for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London,[66] stating that it was a more realistic target as "sprinters usually reach their peak between 26 and 29. I will be 25 in London and I'll also have two, three years' preparation."[67]

2008 Summer Paralympics

Pistorius participated in the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing in the 100, 200 and 400 metres (T44). On 9 September, in the heats of the 100 metres, he set a Paralympic record with his time of 11.16 seconds.[77] Later, following a slow start, he rallied to snatch gold from the United States' Jerome Singleton in the 100 metres in a time of 11.17 seconds, 0.03 seconds ahead of the silver medallist.[78] Four days later, on 13 September, the defending Paralympic champion in the 200-metre sprint[79] won his second gold in the event in a time of 21.67 seconds,[80] setting another Paralympic record.[77] He completed a hat-trick by winning gold in the 400 metres in a world-record time of 47.49 seconds on 16 September,[81] calling it "a memory that will stay with me for the rest of my life".[82]

2011 and qualification for 2012 Summer Olympics
Pistorius during the 2011 World Championships in Athletics in Daegu, South Korea

In January 2011, a slimmer, trimmer Pistorius won three IPC Athletics World titles in New Zealand but was beaten for the first time in seven years in the 100 metres by Jerome Singleton.[83] He subsequently won the T44 400 metres in 47.28 seconds and the 100 metres in 11.04 seconds at the BT Paralympic World Cup in May to reassert himself as the world's leading Paralympic sprinter.[84]

Pistorius competed across a number of non-disabled races in the summer of 2011 and posted three times under 46 seconds, but it was at the 19th Internazionale di Atletica Sports Solidarity Meeting in Lignano, Italy, on 19 July, that he set a personal best of 45.07 seconds in the 400 metres, attaining the World Championships and Olympic Games "A" standard qualification mark.[9][85][86]

Pistorius won the 400-metres event with a posted time that ranked him as 15th fastest in the world.[87]

On 8 August 2011, it was announced that he had been included in the South African team for the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, and had been selected for the 400-metre and the 4 × 400 metre relay squad. In the heats of the 400 metres, Pistorius ran in 45.39 seconds and qualified for the semi-final. However, in the semi-final, he ran 46.19 seconds and was eliminated.[88]

In the heats of the 4 × 400 metres relay, Pistorius ran the opening leg as South Africa advanced to the finals with a national record time of 2 minutes 59.21 seconds. However, he was not selected to run in the finals since he had the slowest split time of 46.20 seconds. This caused a controversy, as the first leg is normally Pistorius' slowest since it requires a start from blocks, and he was restricted to the first leg by Athletics South Africa "on safety grounds". He initially tweeted: "Haven't been included in final. Pretty gutted.", but later added: "Well done to the SA 4×400m team. Was really hard watching, knowing I deserved to be part of it [sic]."[89] Pistorius still won the silver medal because he ran in the heats, becoming the first amputee to win a non-disabled world track medal.[90][91] Reflecting on his World Championship debut, Pistorius said: "I really enjoyed the whole experience. I ran my second fastest time ever in the heats and was really pleased to have reached the semi-finals. In the relay, I was unbelievably chuffed to have broken the South African record, and hopefully my name will stay on that for a long time to come."[92]

On 4 July 2012, the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) announced that Pistorius had been included in the Olympic team[93] for the 400-metre and the 4 × 400 metres relay races.[94][95]

2012 Summer Olympics
Pistorius running in the Olympic Stadium during the heats of the 400 metres at the 2012 Summer Olympics on 4 August

At the 2012 Summer Olympics on 4 August 2012, Pistorius became the first amputee runner to compete at an Olympic Games.[96] In the 400-metre race, he took second place in the first heat of five runners, finishing with a time of 45.44 seconds (his best time of the season so far) to advance to the semi-finals on 5 August.[97] He ran in the second semi-final, where he finished eighth and last with a time of 46.54 seconds.[98][99]

In the first semi-final of the 4 × 400 metres relay race on 9 August, the second runner of the South African team, Ofentse Mogawane, fell and was injured before reaching Pistorius, who was to have run the third leg. South Africa was passed into the final on appeal to the IAAF, due to interference by Vincent Kiilu, the Kenyan athlete who downed Mogawane.[100][101] The South African relay team eventually finished eighth out of the field of nine in the final on 10 August. However, it established a season's best time for the team of 3 minutes 3.46 seconds,[102] with Pistorius running the final leg in 45.9 seconds.[103] Pistorius was chosen to carry the South African flag for the closing ceremony.[104]

2012 Summer Paralympics

Pistorius also carried the flag at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Paralympics on 29 August.[105] He entered the T44 classification men's 100 metres, 200 metres and 400 metres races, and the T42–T46 4 × 100 metres relay.[106]

Pistorius carrying the flag at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Paralympics
Pistorius after winning the 400m T44 final

In the 200-metre competition, Pistorius established a new T43 world record of 21.30 seconds in his heat on 1 September,[8] but he was defeated in the final the next day by Alan Oliveira of Brazil. Pistorius took silver, and subsequently complained about the length of Oliveira's blades. He later apologised for the timing of his remarks, but not the content of his complaint.[107] The IPC confirmed the length of Oliveira's blades were proportional to his body, with all the finalists measured before the race. The IPC also confirmed that Pistorius had raised the issue of blade length with it six weeks prior to the race. SASCOC issued a statement welcoming Pistorius' apology for his outburst, declared their full support for him and promised to assist him in discussions with the IPC about the issue of lengthened prosthetics after the conclusion of the Games. The IPC expressed willingness to engage with Pistorius about the issue.[108] Australian runner Jack Swift[2] and American runner Jerome Singleton[109] also expressed support for Pistorius's position.

Pistorius won a gold medal on 5 September, running the anchor leg as part of the South African 4 × 100 metres relay team. The team set a world record time of 41.78 seconds.[110] He was unsuccessful in defending his Beijing Olympics 100-metre title when he came fourth with a season's best time of 11.17 seconds, and the race was won by Great Britain's Jonnie Peacock.[111] On 8 September, the last full day of competition, Pistorius won gold in the T44 400 metres with a time of 46.68 seconds, breaking the Paralympic record.[112]

Achievements

Disability sports events
Time (seconds) Result Date Event
100 m (class T44)
10.91[7]
(world record)		 Gold 4 April 2007 Nedbank Championships for the Physically Disabled
Germiston, Gauteng, South Africa
11.16[113] Bronze 17–28 September 2004 2004 Summer Paralympics
Athens, Greece
11.17[78] Gold 9 September 2008 2008 Summer Paralympics
Beijing, People's Republic of China
11.23[43] Gold 15 May 2005 2005 Visa Paralympic World Cup
Manchester, England, United Kingdom
11.32[114] Gold 5 September 2006 2006 IPC Athletics World Championships
Assen, Netherlands
11.34[115] Silver 26 January 2011 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships
Christchurch, New Zealand
11.42[4] Gold 6 June 2008 Sportfest
Duisburg, Germany
11.48[116] Gold 1 June 2008 Dutch Open National Championships
Emmeloord, Netherlands
11.62[114] Gold 2004 United States
200 m (class T44)
21.52[117]
(21.30 in semi-final – T43 world record)[8]		 Silver 2 September 2012 2012 Summer Paralympics
London, England, United Kingdom
21.58[47]
(world record)		 Gold 5 April 2007 Nedbank Championships for the Physically Disabled
Germiston, Gauteng, South Africa
21.67[80]
(Paralympic record)[77]		 Gold 13 September 2008 2008 Summer Paralympics
Beijing, People's Republic of China
21.77[5] Gold 15 June 2008 German Open National Championships
Berlin, Germany
21.80
(21.66 in semi-final – world record)[114]		 Gold 8 September 2006 2006 IPC Athletics World Championships
Assen, Netherlands
21.80[115] Gold 24 January 2011 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships
Christchurch, New Zealand
21.97[113] Gold 17–28 September 2004 2004 Summer Paralympics
Athens, Greace
22.01[44]
(world record)		 Gold 15 May 2005 2005 Visa Paralympic World Cup
Manchester, England, United Kingdom
22.04[118] Gold 31 May 2008 Dutch Open National Championships
Emmeloord, Netherlands
22.71[114] Gold 2004 USA Endeavor Games

USA

400 m (class T44)
46.68[112]
(Paralympic record)		 Gold 8 September 2012 2012 Summer Paralympics
London, England, United Kingdom
47.49[81]
(world record)		 Gold 16 September 2008 2008 Summer Paralympics
Beijing, People's Republic of China
47.92[116] Gold 1 June 2008 Dutch Open National Championships
Emmeloord, Netherlands
48.37[115] Gold 29 January 2011 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships
Christchurch, New Zealand
49.42[114] Gold 4 September 2006 2006 IPC Athletics World Championships
Assen, Netherlands
4 × 100 m relay (classes T42–T46)
41.78[110]
(world record)		 Gold 5 September 2012 2012 Summer Paralympics
London, England, United Kingdom
42.80[115] Gold 29 January 2011 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships
Christchurch, New Zealand

Non-disabled sports events
Time (seconds) Result Date Event
400 m
45.07[114]
(personal best)		 First place 19 July 2011 Meeting Internazionale di Atletica Sports Solidarity
Lignano, Italy
45.44[97]
(seasonal best)		 16th in Round 1
(out of 51 athletes)		 4 August 2012 2012 Summer Olympics
London, United Kingdom
45.52[119] Silver 29 June 2012 2012 African Championships in Athletics
Porto-Novo, Benin
46.56[120] Silver 17 March 2007 2007 Senior South African National Championships
Durban, South Africa
4 × 400 m relay
2 min 59.21 s (heats)[90] Silver 1 September 2011 2011 IAAF World Championships in Athletics
Daegu, South Korea
3 min 04.01 s[121] Silver 1 July 2012 2012 African Championships in Athletics
Porto-Novo, Benin

Other awards and accolades

In 2006, Pistorius was conferred the Order of Ikhamanga in Bronze (OIB) by then President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, for outstanding achievement in sports.[1][37] On 9 December 2007, Pistorius was awarded the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award, which is conferred for outstanding courage and achievement in the face of adversity.[122] This was later revoked following his conviction for murder.

Pistorius at the 2011 World Championships in Athletics in Daegu, South Korea

In May 2008, Pistorius made the "Time 100" – Time magazine's annual list of the world's most influential people – appearing third in the "Heroes & Pioneers" section. Erik Weihenmayer, the first blind person to climb Mount Everest, wrote in an essay that Pistorius was "on the cusp of a paradigm shift in which disability becomes ability, disadvantage becomes advantage. Yet we mustn't lose sight of what makes an athlete great. It's too easy to credit Pistorius' success to technology. Through birth or circumstance, some are given certain gifts, but it's what one does with those gifts, the hours devoted to training, the desire to be the best, that is at the true heart of a champion."[123] In 2012, he made the list again.[124]

In February 2012, Pistorius was awarded the Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability for 2012.[125] On 22 August 2012, he was honoured with the unveiling of a large mural depicting his achievements in the town of Gemona, Italy.[126]

On 9 September 2012, Pistorius was shortlisted by the IPC for the Whang Youn Dai Achievement Award as a competitor "who is fair, honest and is uncompromising in his or her values and prioritises the promotion of the Paralympic Movement above personal recognition". According to director Craig Spence, he was nominated by an unnamed external organisation from South Korea.[127] The award went to two other athletes.[128]

After the 2012 Summer Paralympics, the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow announced they would confer on Pistorius, among others, an honorary doctorate.[129] In February 2015, following his conviction for culpable homicide, the University revoked the honorary degree.[130][131]

Sponsorship and charitable activities

In 2012 Pistorius had sponsorship deals worth US$2 million a year with Össur,[132] BT, Nike, Oakley and Thierry Mugler.[133] He also participated as a model in advertising campaigns.[134][135]

Following the murder charge, sponsors were initially hesitant to abandon him, but after a week sponsors began to withdraw their support.[134][136]

In 2008, Pistorius collaborated in the release of a music CD called Olympic Dream. Produced in Italy, it consists of disco remixes of music pieces that Pistorius finds inspirational, and two tracks written for him, "Olympic Dream" and "Run Boy Run", for which he provided voiceovers. Part of the CD's proceeds of sale went to charity.[137] Pistorius also actively supports the Mineseeker Foundation, a charity that works to raise awareness for landmine victims and has a support programme to provide prosthetics for victims.[138]

Personal life

Pistorius has two visible tattoos: the dates of his mother's birth and death ("LVIII V VIII – II III VI" – 8 May 1958 – 6 March 2002) are tattooed on the inside of his right arm;[22] the other tattoo, which is on his back, is the Bible verse 1 Corinthians 9:26–27 which begins, "I do not run like a man running aimlessly."[139] He lived in Silverwoods Country Estate, Pretoria.[140] The house was sold in June 2014.[141] Aside from running, his interests include architecture,[142] motorbiking, and breeding race horses.[143]

Pistorius' autobiography, Dream Runner, was published in Italian in 2008 with Gianni Merlo, a journalist with La Gazzetta dello Sport.[144] An English version titled Blade Runner was released in 2009.[145] In 2010, Pistorius appeared on L'isola dei famosi, an Italian version of Celebrity Survivor.[146] On 7 January 2012, he appeared as a special guest on the Italian version of Dancing with the Stars called Ballando con le Stelle at Auditorium Rai in Rome, where he danced a tango with Annalisa Longo to ABBA's "The Winner Takes It All".[147] On 9 October 2012, Pistorius appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.[148] He was also scheduled to appear on Piers Morgan Tonight and the Larry King Now show at later dates.[149]

In February 2009, Pistorius was seriously injured when he was thrown from a boat in an accident on the Vaal River near Johannesburg. He was airlifted to Milpark Hospital, where he underwent surgery to repair broken facial bones, including his nose and jaw.[150] There were initial concerns about his fitness, but he recovered fully. However, the accident affected his training and running schedule for that year.[151]

Pistorius was scheduled as an amateur golfer in the 2012 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship held at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns in Scotland. Pistorius has a 21 handicap in South Africa, but played off an 18 handicap for the Championship.[152] In 2010, he played in the Laureus World Sports Awards Golf Challenge at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates[153] and the Help-net Fund Celebrity Charity Golf Day.[154]

Pistorius is related to the South African psychological profiler, Micki Pistorius, who is his aunt.[155]

Murder of Reeva Steenkamp
Main article: Trial of Oscar Pistorius
Oscar Pistorius
Conviction(s)Culpable homicide (2014)
Murder (2016)
Criminal penalty5 years imprisonment (2014)
6 years imprisonment (2016)
13 years imprisonment (2017)
Capture status
Imprisoned at Atteridgeville Correctional Centre
Details
VictimsReeva Steenkamp
Date14 February 2013
WeaponsTaurus PT 917 CS 9mm semi-automatic pistol[156]
Imprisoned atKgosi Mampuru II jail
(2014–2015, 2016)
Atteridgeville Correctional Centre
(2016–present)

In the early morning of Thursday, 14 February 2013, Pistorius shot and killed his girlfriend, South African model Reeva Steenkamp, at his home in Pretoria.[157][158][159] Pistorius acknowledged that he shot Steenkamp four times, causing her death, but said that he mistook her for a possible intruder.[160]

Pistorius' trial for murder began on 3 March 2014, in the Pretoria High Court.[161][162] On 20 May 2014, the trial proceedings were adjourned until 30 June to enable Pistorius to undergo psychiatric evaluation to establish whether he could be held criminally responsible for shooting Steenkamp. Judge Thokozile Masipa agreed to a request for the evaluation by prosecutor Gerrie Nel after forensic psychiatrist Merryll Vorster testified for the defense that she had diagnosed Pistorius with generalized anxiety disorder.[163] On 30 June 2014, the trial resumed after the evaluation reports said Pistorius could be held criminally responsible. The state prosecutor was quoted as saying, "Mr. Pistorius did not suffer from a mental illness or defect that would have rendered him not criminally responsible for the offence charged".[164] The defense closed its case on 8 July and closing arguments were heard on 7 and 8 August.[165][166]

On 12 September, Pistorius was found guilty of culpable homicide and one firearm-related charge of reckless endangerment related to discharging a firearm in a restaurant. He was found not guilty of two other firearm-related charges relating to possession of illegal ammunition and firing a firearm through the sunroof of a car.[11][12][13] On 21 October 2014, he received a prison sentence of a maximum of five years for culpable homicide and a concurrent three-year suspended prison sentence for the separate reckless endangerment conviction.[14][15]

Prison term

In June 2015, Pistorius was recommended for early release, as early as August. South African Commissioner of Correctional Services Zach Modise told the BBC of the decision by the case management committee at the Kgosi Mampuru II prison in Pretoria, where Pistorius was being held: "Under South African law he is eligible for release under 'correctional supervision' having served a sixth of his sentence."[167]

After Pistorius served approximately one-sixth of his prison term, his release date to house arrest was announced for 21 August 2015. This release was based on good behaviour and the fact that he was not considered a danger to the community. Pistorius was expected to remain under house arrest and correctional supervision, and was expected to perform community service as part of his continuing sentence. Regardless of his release from prison, Pistorius could not return to official athletic competition until the whole five years of his sentence was complete.[168] On 19 August 2015, his release was unexpectedly blocked by South Africa's Justice Minister Michael Masutha. According to Masutha, the parole board's decision for early release was "premature." Legal experts noted that the move was likely due to political pressure and had implications for other cases of pending early release.[169] He was released from prison on 19 October 2015.[170]

Case appeal

On 4 November 2014, prosecutors applied to the sentencing judge for permission to appeal the culpable homicide verdict, stating that the five-year prison term was "shockingly light, inappropriate and would not have been imposed by any reasonable court".[171] Judge Thokozile Masipa ruled on 10 December 2014 that the prosecution could challenge her ruling of acquitting Pistorius of premeditated murder and convicting him of the lesser charge of culpable homicide; however she ruled that the state could not appeal the length of the sentence. The case was then set for appeal in front of a five-person panel at the Supreme Court of Appeal.[172]

The date for prosecutors to submit court papers outlining their arguments was set for 17 August 2015, and the date for the defence team's response was set for 17 September 2015. The date for the appeal hearing was set for November 2015.[173] The prosecutors' argument rested on Judge Masipa's application of the legal principle of dolus eventualis (whether an accused did actually foresee the outcome of his actions, rather than whether he or she should have), and that the judge made an error in concluding Pistorius had not foreseen that by firing four shots through the closed door of the toilet cubicle, he would kill or injure whoever was behind the door.[174]

The appeal was heard on 3 November 2015, in the Supreme Court of Appeal, Bloemfontein. The matter was heard before five Supreme Court judges. By a unanimous decision,[175] the court overturned Pistorius' culpable homicide conviction and found him guilty of murder in the death of Reeva Steenkamp. Judge Eric Leach read the summary of judgment. The panel of five judges found for the prosecutor's argument that Pistorius must have known that someone would die if he fired through the closed door into a small toilet cubicle. In the words of Judge Leach, "Although he may have been anxious, it is inconceivable that a rational person could have believed he was entitled to fire at this person with a heavy-calibre firearm, without taking even that most elementary precaution of firing a warning shot, which the accused said he elected not to fire as he thought the ricochet might harm him."[176]

According to the judgement, the person who Pistorius thought was in the cubicle had nothing to do with the results of his actions.[10][177][178] The culpable homicide verdict was replaced with a murder conviction, and the case was referred back to the trial court for a sentencing hearing when it reconvened on 18 April 2016.[10][179]

On 8 December 2015, it was announced Pistorius would continue to remain free on bail but under house arrest[180] pending his appeal to the Constitutional Court. On 3 March 2016, it was announced Pistorius had been denied his right to appeal, and would next be due in court on 13 June 2016 to begin a five-day sentencing hearing for the murder conviction, concluding on 17 June 2016.[181][182]

On 15 June 2016, the sentencing was adjourned by Judge Thokozile Masipa until 6 July 2016.[183]

Second prison term

On 6 July 2016, Judge Thokozile Masipa sentenced Pistorius to six years' imprisonment for murder, rather than her original sentencing of five years imprisonment for culpable homicide; once again he was incarcerated in the hospital wing at the Kgosi Mampuru II jail. It was anticipated that Pistorius would be eligible for release on parole, after serving three years of his sentence, in 2019.[184][185]

On 7 August 2016, Pistorius was treated at Kalafong Hospital, in Pretoria, after sustaining minor injuries to his wrists after slipping in his cell. Media reports of Pistorius injuring himself intentionally were said to be "completely untrue" by his brother Carl who said he was "doing well given the circumstances".[186]

On 21 July 2016, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed that they would appeal against Judge Thokozile Masipa's "shockingly lenient" 6-year jail sentence.[187] The appeal hearing took place on 26 August 2016 and the bid to appeal the sentence was rejected by Masipa who said that the NPA had "no reasonable prospect of success" of securing a longer prison sentence for Pistorius.[188] The NPA were then given 21 days to take their appeal bid to the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA). On 15 September 2016 it was confirmed that the NPA would make a fresh bid to extend Pistorius' jail sentence and would file papers to the SCA on 16 September.[189] After this announcement, sources associated with Pistorius' family and the defence team accused Gerrie Nel and the NPA of pursuing a "personal vendetta" against Pistorius.[190]

Pistorius was briefly released from prison for four hours on 14 October 2016 through a compassionate leave license to attend the funeral service of his grandmother, who died on 8 October 2016.[191]

In November 2016, Pistorius was transferred from the Kgosi Mampuru jail to Atteridgeville Correctional Centre which is smaller and better adapted for disabled prisoners, as it has better facilities for inmates including bath tubs in cells. It also holds prisoners who are serving six-year sentences or less.[192]

Sentence appeals

On 19 September 2017, it was confirmed that the SCA would hear the state's arguments appealing to extend Pistorius' sentence on 3 November 2017,[193] with their final ruling being confirmed on 24 November 2017.

On 24 November 2017, a South African court increased Pistorius' jail sentence to 13 years and five months. Prosecutors had argued that the six-year term was too short. The SCA ruled his sentence be increased to 15 years, less time already served.[194]

On 19 December 2017, it was confirmed that Pistorius had filed papers with the Constitutional Court to appeal the newly increased sentence and have his previous six-year sentence reinstated.[195] On 9 April 2018, it was confirmed that on 28 March 2018 the appeal was dismissed by the courts;[196] Pistorius will not be eligible for parole until at least 2023.[197]

An unofficial biopic based on public records titled Oscar Pistorius: Blade Runner Killer, was aired on 18 November 2017 on South African TV.[198] The movie was made without the consent of either the Pistorius or Steenkamp families.[198] The Pistorius family threatened legal action against Lifetime Movies, the American television network who produced the film.[199]

In June 2016, investigative reporter Mark Williams-Thomas gained exclusive access to interview Pistorius for ITV. Oscar Pistorius: The Interview was broadcast on 24 June in the UK and South Africa.[200]

In the 2018 Family Guy episode "HTTPete", Peter Griffin is shot at through a bathroom door by Oscar Pistorius in a cutaway gag, as a reference to the case.

On 1 August 2018, Amazon Prime released a four-part documentary series on their Prime Video service entitled Pistorius; the episodes are titled: The Dream, Valentine's Day, A Good Day to Tell You That I Love You and The Man Who Wasn't There.[201]

South African rap duo Die Antwoord has referenced his case in the 2016 rap hit music video, Banana Brain, in which lead rapper Ninja wears fake prosthetic legs and shoots in his car, and lead singer Yolandi Visser wears a blond wig.

Notes
  1. Mr. Oscar "Oz" PISTORIUS, Who's Who of Southern Africa, 24.com, archived from the original on 27 April 2009, retrieved 18 May 2007
  2. John Leicester (5 September 2012), "Column: History-maker Pistorius a hypocrite, too?", The Huffington Post, archived from the original on 7 March 2014
  3. Josh McHugh (March 2007), "Blade Runner", Wired, no. 15.03
  4. World wide ranking: T44 male 100 2008, International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation, archived from the original on 15 July 2008, retrieved 19 July 2008
  5. World wide ranking: T44 male 200 2008, International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation, archived from the original on 15 July 2008, retrieved 19 July 2008
  6. World wide ranking: T44 male 400 2008, International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation, archived from the original on 15 July 2008, retrieved 19 July 2008
  7. Oscar sets 100m world record, News24, 4 April 2007, archived from the original on 16 January 2016
  8. "Oscar Pistorius: I proved my doubters wrong with world record in 200m heats at Paralympic Games". The Telegraph. London. 1 September 2012. Retrieved 18 July 2013.
  9. Jon Mulkeen (19 July 2011), Pistorius gets world and Olympic qualifier in Lignano: Double-amputee sprinter clocks 45.07 to guarantee his major champs selection, Athletics Weekly, archived from the original on 12 May 2013
  10. "Oscar Pistorius verdict changed to murder — Oscar Pistorius guilty of murdering Reeva Steenkamp". BBC News Online. 3 December 2015. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  11. Germaner, Shain (12 September 2014). "Oscar: the verdict is in". The Star. Archived from the original on 12 September 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  12. Phipps, Claire (12 September 2014). "Oscar Pistorius verdict: judge to rule on culpable homicide – live". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 12 September 2014.
  13. Davies, Lisa (12 September 2014). "Oscar Pistorius is a convicted killer, but not a murderer". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 13 September 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  14. Germaner, Shain (21 October 2014). "Oscar gets 5 years for Reeva's death". The Star. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  15. "Oscar Pistorius sentenced to 5 years in jail". News24. 21 October 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  16. Onishi, Norimitsu (3 December 2015). "Oscar Pistorius Guilty in Murder of Reeva Steenkamp, Appeals Court Rules". Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  17. "Oscar Pistorius given six years for Reeva Steenkamp murder". BBC News. 6 July 2016. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
  18. "SCA increases Oscar Pistorius's murder sentence to 13 years". News 24. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  19. Nico Bougas (9 June 2012), Enabled not disabled: Oscar Pistorius: 'The fastest thing on no legs', Assistnews.net, archived from the original on 17 August 2012
  20. De Jong Borchardt (18 June 2008), 30 minutes with Oscar Pistorius, University of Pretoria, archived from the original on 27 August 2008
  21. Robert Philip (27 April 2005), "Pistorius masters quick step", The Daily Telegraph, London
  22. Paralympics 2012: Oscar Pistorius beaten by Alan Oliveira in 200m, BBC Sport, 2 September 2012
  23. Tom English (5 August 2011), "London 2012 Olympics: 'Blade runner' Oscar Pistorius becomes first amputee to qualify for Olympic heat", The Scotsman
  24. Gennaro Bozza (11 July 2007), "Pistorius bionico? 'No, solo un uomo' [Pistorius bionic? 'No, just a man']", La Gazzetta dello Sport [Sports Gazette], retrieved 7 February 2008 (Italian)
  25. "How the Oscar Pistorius trial became a mirror on South African society | World news". The Guardian. 9 February 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  26. "Oscar Pistorius: a troubling symbol of South Africa's new, squeezed, Afrikaner society of the cities". The Independent. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  27. "Oscar Pistorius Murder Trial Day 1 Part 1 Oscar pleads not guilty". YouTube. Retrieved 19 March 2014. Masipa: "The accused is English-speaking?", Nel: "Indeed, My Lady".
  28. Oscar Pistorius; Rebecca Servadio-Kenan, transl. (2009), Blade Runner, London: Virgin Books, p. 33, ISBN 978-0-7535-1939-4
  29. Gareth A. Davies (6 October 2004), "Olympics within amputee's reach", The Daily Telegraph, London
  30. Gareth A. Davies [interviewer] (23 May 2007), "My sport: Oscar Pistorius", The Daily Telegraph, London
  31. Jeré Longman (15 May 2007), "An amputee sprinter: Is he disabled or too-abled?", The New York Times, pp. A1 & A21
  32. Oscar Pistorius, Össur, retrieved 22 March 2008
  33. "The making and unmaking of Oscar Pistorius - BBC News". Bbc.com. 3 November 2015. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  34. Mike Moon (2012), "Blade Runner: Oscar Pistorius is forcing the world to rethink what it means to be disabled", Reader's Digest Asia, archived from the original on 8 September 2015, retrieved 29 August 2012
  35. Felix Gillette (10 November 2004), "Racing tall: A Paralympian stands accused of getting an illegal leg up", Slate, archived from the original on 4 September 2012
  36. Stepzinski, Teresa (27 June 2004). "The art and craft of a sports prosthesis". Jacksonville.com. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  37. Sholain Govender (28 September 2006), "South Africa honours 27 outstanding citizens", Independent Online, archived from the original on 23 September 2012, 'It means so much to me and I can't believe that I'm getting an award alongside all the other people here who have done so much for the country,' said Pistorius, who is currently a first-year University of Pretoria business management student.
  38. PISTORIUS Oscar, International Paralympic Committee, archived from the original on 8 March 2014, retrieved 9 August 2012
  39. Tom Knight (11 July 2007), "Pistorius is no novelty sprinter", The Daily Telegraph, London, p. S12
  40. Amputee sprinter second in Rome, BBC News, 14 July 2007
  41. Results for Oscar Pistorius from the International Paralympic Committee (archived)
  42. From Paralympics to Olympics?, Disability Sport South Africa, 9 November 2006, archived from the original on 12 December 2008, retrieved 26 March 2008
  43. Athletics results: Event 6: T44 100m (Men), Paralympic World Cup, archived from the original on 8 December 2008, retrieved 6 March 2008
  44. Athletics results: Event 16: T44 200m (Men), Paralympic World Cup, archived from the original on 8 December 2008, retrieved 6 March 2008
  45. Crates leads superb day for GB, BBC Sport, 9 September 2006
  46. De Jongh Borchardt (19 March 2007), Oscar reaches for his dream, News24, archived from the original on 22 March 2007
  47. "Oscar Pistorius shatters 100m, 200m Records", Mail & Guardian, 5 May 2007
  48. Mike Burnett (5 May 2005), Olympic dreams of a blade runner, BBC Sport; Matthew Pryor (24 April 2006), "Pistorius willing and able to compete with the best", The Times, London
  49. Andrew Dampf (13 July 2007), "Paralympian Pistorius 2nd in non-disabled 'B' race", USA Today; Oscar: Nice to be out on track, News24, 14 July 2007, archived from the original on 30 September 2007
  50. An article dated 11 July 2007 in the Daily Telegraph claimed that Pistorius's participation in the British Grand Prix was the first time that an athlete with a disability had competed against the world's best runners in a top international meeting: see Tom Knight (11 July 2007), "Pistorius is no novelty sprinter", The Daily Telegraph, London, p. S12. However, this does not seem to be correct – for instance, American runner Marla Runyan, who is legally blind, won the 1,500-metre race at the Pan American Games in 1999. At the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, she became the first athlete who is legally blind to compete in the Olympics when she was placed eighth in the 1,500 metres.
  51. "Angelo Taylor wins on Oscar Pistorius's debut", The Daily Telegraph, London, 15 July 2007; Taylor profits from Wariner slip, BBC Sport, 15 July 2007
  52. Angry Pistorius calls for talks, BBC Sport, 15 July 2007
  53. Elizabeth Hudson (5 June 2006), Amputee eyes Olympics, BBC Sport
  54. IAAF Council introduces rule regarding "technical aids", IAAF, 26 March 2007, archived from the original on 17 June 2008, retrieved 28 May 2008; Competition Rules 2008 (PDF), Monaco: IAAF, 2008, p. rule 144.2(e), archived from the original (PDF) on 25 April 2009. See "IAAF proposes rule which would keep South African amputee sprinter out of Beijing Games", International Herald Tribune, 31 May 2007; Charles Carrick (1 June 2007), "IAAF to halt Blade Runner", The Daily Telegraph, London
  55. Simon Hart (15 July 2007), "Blade Runner Oscar Pistorius furious at IAAF", The Daily Telegraph, London
  56. 'Blade Runner' handed Olympic ban, BBC Sport, 14 January 2008
  57. "Report: Artificial limbs give Paralympic champion competitive edge", International Herald Tribune, 20 December 2007
  58. Oscar Pistorius – independent scientific study concludes that Cheetah prosthetics offer clear mechanical advantages, IAAF, 14 January 2008, archived from the original on 15 April 2008, retrieved 18 May 2008; Federation expected to rule Pistorius ineligible for Beijing Games, ESPN, 10 January 2008; Tom Knight (10 January 2008), "IAAF call time on Oscar Pistorius' dream", The Daily Telegraph, London; IAAF announcement – Oscar Pistorius banned based on test results, The Science of Sport, 14 January 2008, retrieved 15 January 2008
  59. Jonathan Clayton (15 January 2008), "Oscar Pistorius vows to fight Olympics ban", The Times, London
  60. 'Blade Runner' fights Olympic ban, CNN, 14 February 2008, archived from the original on 8 December 2008; Michael Phillips (28 April 2008), "Pistorius to begin appeal to CAS", The Guardian, London; Pistorius waits on Olympic news, BBC Sport, 30 April 2008
  61. Arbitral award delivered by the Court of Arbitration for Sport … in the arbitration between Mr. Oscar Pistorius … v/ International Association of Athletics Federations (CAS 2008/A/1480 Pistorius v/ IAAF) (PDF), Court of Arbitration for Sport, 16 May 2008, archived from the original (PDF) on 29 May 2008; Pistorius is eligible for IAAF competition, IAAF, 16 May 2008, retrieved 18 May 2008. See also Duncan Mackay (18 May 2008), "Diack relaxed over Pistorius's victory", The Observer, London
  62. Pistorius eligible for Olympics, BBC Sport, 16 May 2008
  63. Athletics: Qualification standards, Beijing 2008: The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, 2008, archived from the original on 23 June 2008
  64. "Pistorius primed for Beijing after overturning ban: 'I look forward to continuing my quest to qualify'", The Guardian, London, 16 May 2008; Graham Dunbar (16 May 2008), "Double-amputee wins appeal to aim for Olympics", The Independent, London; Vicki Hodges (16 May 2008), "Pistorius cleared to compete for Olympic place", The Daily Telegraph, London; Nico Hines (16 May 2008), "Amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius allowed to compete in Beijing", The Times, London
  65. Race return disappoints Pistorius, BBC Sport, 4 July 2008
  66. Pistorius: 'I won't accept wild card for Olympics', Agenzia Giornalistica Italia (AGI), 3 July 2008, archived from the original on 2 August 2008
  67. Michael Phillips (4 July 2008), "Pistorius trails home fourth and a long way short of Beijing", The Guardian, London. See also Oscar Pistorius looks to one last chance in Lucerne to earn Olympics place, The Canadian Press, 4 July 2008, retrieved 5 July 2008
  68. Ron Lewis (12 July 2008), "Oscar Pistorius left with one more shot at Beijing", The Times, London
  69. Relay safety fears over Pistorius, BBC Sport, 15 July 2008
  70. Mark Ledsom (16 July 2008), Pistorius says IAAF desperate to stop his Olympic bid, Reuters UK
  71. Joshua Robinson (16 July 2008), "Pistorius threatens action after official recommends his exclusion [UPDATED]", The New York Times
  72. Pistorius fails to make Olympics, BBC Sport, 18 July 2008; Pistorius misses out on SA Olympic squad, CNN, 18 July 2008, archived from the original on 8 December 2008
  73. John Mehaffey (17 July 2008), IAAF rejects Pistorius accusations, Reuters
  74. See also Mark Ledsom (16 July 2008), Amputee Pistorius fails in Olympic 400m bid: Pistorius was 0.70 seconds short of the qualifying standard, ABC News; Joshua Robinson (19 July 2008), "Amputee sprinter's Beijing quest is over", The New York Times; "Pistorius won't run For S. Africa", The Washington Post, p. E2, 19 July 2008
  75. For instance, George Eyser was earlier.
  76. Simon Hart (4 May 2008), "Dreams carry Natalie du Toit to Beijing", The Daily Telegraph, London; Matthew Pryor (5 May 2008), "Oscar Pistorius left in the shade after Natalie Du Toit claims Olympic first", The Times, London
  77. Records: As of Sep 17 2008, Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, 17 September 2008, archived from the original on 18 September 2008, retrieved 17 September 2008
  78. Oscar wins gold, Independent Online, 9 September 2008, retrieved 10 September 2008; "Pistorius wins 100 meters at Paralympic Games in Beijing", International Herald Tribune, 9 September 2008; "Oscar Pistorius grabs gold", The Times, South Africa, 9 September 2008, archived from the original on 8 January 2009; Matthew Pryor (10 September 2008), "Oscar Pistorius wins Paralympic 100 metres title", The Times, London
  79. Andrew McGarry (29 August 2008), Oscar Pistorius: Speed demon by any name, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, retrieved 7 September 2008; "Pistorius targets treble to forget troubles", China Daily, 7 September 2008
  80. Jeff Z. Klein (13 September 2008), "Day 7: Second gold for Pistorius; Iran forfeits before potential game vs. Israel", The New York Times; "Oscar Pistorius's blades of glory in Beijing", The Times, South Africa, 13 September 2008, archived from the original on 8 January 2009; 'Blade Runner' keeps triple-gold dream alive at Beijing Paralympics, Xinhua News Agency, 13 September 2008, archived from the original on 18 September 2008
  81. Day 10: 'Blade Runner' completes gold treble, China hits 200-medal mark, Xinhua News Agency, 16 September 2008, archived from the original on 19 September 2008, retrieved 17 September 2008
  82. Matt McGeehan (17 September 2008), "Weir powers down home straight to win second gold: … Oscar Pistorius takes his third gold of the Games", The Guardian, London. See also Weir storms to second Games gold, BBC Sport, 17 September 2008
  83. Gareth A. Davies (26 January 2011), "Jerome Singleton pips Oscar Pistorius in 100 metres T44 final at IPC Athletics World Championships", The Daily Telegraph, London
  84. Oscar Pistorius and Dan Greaves in record breaking form at BT Paralympic World Cup, BT Paralympic World Cup, 22–26 May 2012, archived from the original on 30 August 2012
  85. Oscar Pistorius closer to fulfilling Olympic dream, BBC Sport, 19 July 2011
  86. Double amputee Pistorius qualifies for track worlds, CBC Sports, 19 July 2011, archived from the original on 22 July 2011
  87. Ossur salutes Oscar Pistorius in historic achievement: South African amputee qualifies for non-disabled IAAF World Championships on Ossur's Cheetah prostheses, Yahoo! Finance, 21 July 2011, retrieved 17 August 2012
  88. World Athletics 2011: Oscar Pistorius misses out on 400m final, BBC Sport, 29 August 2011
  89. Martin Gough (2 September 2011), World Athletics 2011: Oscar Pistorius wins relay silver, retrieved 8 September 2012
  90. Sebastien Van Heyningen (30 July 2012), Olympics 2012: Oscar Pistorius just wants to compete, International Business Times, archived from the original on 1 August 2012
  91. "Oscar Pistorius faces race to qualify for London 2012 Olympics", The Guardian, London, 3 November 2011
  92. Team Össur – Colin Jackson interviews Oscar Pistorius, Össur, 8 September 2011, retrieved 16 September 2011
  93. Oscar Pistorius set to make history at Olympics, BBC Sport, 4 July 2012
  94. Bladerunner Pistorius included in SA's Olympic team, South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee, 4 July 2012, archived from the original on 3 August 2012
  95. "Oscar Pistorius set for long-awaited Olympic debut", The Times of India, 18 July 2012, archived from the original on 22 July 2012
  96. Robert Klemko (10 August 2012), "Oscar Pistorius makes history, leaves without medal", USA Today, archived from the original on 11 August 2012
  97. Oscar Pistorius makes Olympic history in 400m at London 2012, BBC Sport, 4 August 2012; Bill Chappell (4 August 2012), Oscar Pistorius makes Olympic history in 400 meters, and moves on to semifinal, NPR, archived from the original on 4 August 2012
  98. Men's 400m – semifinals, archived from the original on 16 December 2012, retrieved 4 August 2012
  99. "London Olympics: Pistorius fails to make 400m final", The Times of India, 6 August 2012, archived from the original on 6 August 2012
  100. "Oscar Pistorius, South Africa to run in 4×400-meter Olympic final on appeal", Newsday, 9 August 2012, archived from the original on 13 August 2012
  101. David Leon Moore (9 August 2012), "Oscar Pistorius, South Africa back in the relay", USA Today, archived from the original on 9 August 2012
  102. Greenberg, Chris (10 August 2012), Oscar Pistorius, South African 4×400m relay team finish 8th as Bahamas wins gold, Huffington Post, archived from the original on 10 August 2012
  103. Announcer: Tom Hammond (10 August 2012). "Track and Field, Diving, Cycling". XXX Summer Olympics. 186 minutes in. NBC.
  104. "Oscar Pistorius to carry the flag for South Africa at closing", USA Today, 12 August 2012, archived from the original on 13 August 2012
  105. Hawking, Pistorius open London's Paralympics: Wheelchair-bound physicist Stephen Hawking challenged athletes to 'look to the stars' as he helped open a record-setting Paralympics Games that will run for 11 days in near sold-out venues, Yahoo! Sports, 30 August 2012, archived from the original on 2 September 2012
  106. Paralympics 100m: Oscar Pistorius says past experience vital, BBC Sport, 21 May 2012
  107. "Oscar Pistorius moves to diffuse row over rival's blades after unexpected Paralympics loss", The Washington Post, 4 September 2012, archived from the original on 4 September 2012
  108. Kevin McCallum (4 September 2012), "IPC considers action against Oscar", Independent Online, archived from the original on 6 September 2012
  109. US sprinter backs Pistorius blade rule review, Agence France-Presse, 5 September 2012, archived from the original on 3 January 2013, retrieved 5 September 2012
  110. Paralympics 2012: Oscar Pistorius makes golden return to track, BBC Sport, 5 September 2012; Gold for men's relay team in world record time, SuperSport, 5 September 2012, archived from the original on 6 September 2012
  111. Saj Chowdhury, Paralympics 2012: Jonnie Peacock wins gold in T44 100m, BBC Sport
  112. Saj Chowdhury (8 September 2012), Paralympics 2012: Oscar Pistorius powers to T44 400m gold
  113. ATHENS 2004 Paralympic Games, IPC, 2004, archived from the original on 8 December 2008
  114. Oscar Pistorius competitive highlights, Össur, archived from the original on 23 January 2009, retrieved 8 March 2008; Pistorius sprints to new record, BBC Sport, 7 April 2007
  115. Pistorius brings South Africa home in epic relay, Scoop, 29 January 2011, archived from the original on 8 May 2013
  116. Pistorius wins at Dutch meet, ESPN, 1 June 2008, archived from the original on 8 December 2008
  117. "Oscar Pistorius sorry for timing of complaints after Paralympic defeat", The Guardian, London, 2 September 2012
  118. Raf Casert (31 May 2008), "Pistorius starts tough bid for Beijing", USA Today, archived from the original on 5 February 2013
  119. Jocelyn McLennan (2 July 2012), Oscar Pistorius wins silver medal at African Championships, The Roar, archived from the original on 6 July 2012
  120. Oscar Pistorius, Speakers Inc., archived from the original on 8 August 2012, retrieved 8 August 2012; Oscar Pistorius: Bio, NBC Sports, 2012, archived from the original on 9 August 2012
  121. Wesley Botton (2 July 2012), Another silver for Pistorius, South Africa: Independent Online, archived from the original on 8 August 2012; Competition Schedule as of 27/06/2012 (PDF), Confederation of African Athletics, 1 July 2012, archived from the original (PDF) on 8 August 2012
  122. Calzaghe wins Sports Personality, BBC Sport, 9 December 2007
  123. Erik Weihenmayer (May 2008), "Oscar Pistorius", Time; TIME Magazine ranks Oscar Pistorius one of the 100 most influential people of 2008, Össur, 2 May 2008
  124. Sean Gregory (18 April 2012), "The 100 most influential people in the world: Oscar Pistorius", Time, archived from the original on 3 August 2012, retrieved 17 August 2012
  125. Honour for 'remarkable' Pistorius, Independent Online, 6 February 2012, archived from the original on 21 April 2012
  126. Rimati, Mario (22 August 2012). "Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius is honored in small Italian town". Demotix.com. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  127. Duncan Mackay (8 September 2012), PC were going to punish Pistorius for outburst but instead shortlist him for fair play award, Inside the Games, archived from the original on 10 September 2012
  128. Duncan Mackay (9 September 2012), Pistorius overlooked for London 2012 fair play award as Ireland's McKillop chosen, Inside the Games, archived from the original on 9 September 2012
  129. Paralympian Oscar Pistorius to be honoured by Scots university, STV, 11 September 2012, archived from the original on 22 September 2012; see also Paralympics champion Oscar Pistorius to get honorary degree from Strathclyde University, Huffington Post, 11 September 2012, archived from the original on 22 September 2012
  130. Maria Khan (2 February 2015), Oscar Pistorius stripped of degree by Strathclyde University, International Business Times
  131. Susan Swarbrick (2 February 2015), Pistorius stripped of honorary degree by Scottish university, The Herald (Glasgow)
  132. Amy Bentley-Smith (27 August 2012), O&P students get Olympic-style greeting, California State University, Dominguez Hills, archived from the original on 1 September 2012
  133. John Reynolds (3 September 2012), "Sponsors back Oscar Pistorius despite petulant outburst", Marketing, archived from the original on 9 September 2012; Cahal Milmo; Tom Peck (7 September 2012), "A psychic predicted gold on the track, now Jonnie Peacock could make millions off it: The newly crowned 100m champion is expected to replace Oscar Pistorius as the poster boy for Paralympic sport", The Independent, London, archived from the original on 9 September 2012
  134. Rebecca Davis (20 February 2013), Oscar Pistorius dropped by sponsors, The Guardian, retrieved 28 November 2017
  135. Eric Wilson (13 July 2011), "Model and front-runner", The New York Times
  136. Oscar Pistorius contract suspended by Nike, BBC News, 21 February 2013, retrieved 21 February 2013; Roxanna Scott (21 February 2013), "Oscar Pistorius dropped by Nike", USA Today, retrieved 21 February 2013
  137. Olympic Dream tracks, Do It Yourself Music Group Srl Italy, 2008, archived from the original on 20 April 2009, retrieved 14 September 2008; Oscar Pistorius (in English translate by Google) [sic], Do It Yourself Music Group Srl Italy, 2008, archived from the original on 20 April 2009, retrieved 14 September 2008
  138. Oscar Pistorius aims to make Olympic history in 2012, BBC Sport, 13 August 2010
  139. Michael Sokolove (13 September 2012), "The fast life of Oscar Pistorius", The New York Times
  140. "Inside Oscar's home". News24. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  141. "Pistorius' journey to Olympics nearly complete", Erie Times-News, 22 July 2012, retrieved 17 September 2012
  142. Don't believe nothing is impossible? Meet Oscar Pistorius and think again, Artofbeingalive.com, 24 September 2012, archived from the original on 24 September 2012
  143. Oscar Pistorius – Olympic Stadium sneak preview – FULL INTERVIEW (interview), Sportsvibe, 25 May 2011, retrieved 16 August 2012
  144. Gareth A. Davies (4 July 2008), "Olympics: Oscar Pistorius accused of terrorism", The Daily Telegraph, London
  145. Oscar Pistorius (2009), Blade Runner, London: Virgin Books, ISBN 978-0-7535-1939-4
  146. Isola dei famosi 2010, nona puntata: Oscar Pistorius guest, un’altra eliminazione a sorpresa, 19 April 2010, retrieved 3 October 2012
  147. Oscar tangoes in Italy, Zalebs.com, 11 January 2012, archived from the original on 10 February 2013, retrieved 16 August 2012
  148. Oscar Pistorius appears on Jay Leno, 10 October 2012, retrieved 10 October 2012
  149. Degun, Tom (10 October 2012), Pistorius talks London 2012 on Tonight With Jay Leno, retrieved 10 October 2012
  150. Glendenning, Barry; Gallagher, Andy; Sprenger, Richard (9 May 2012), "London 2012 Olympics: 'Blade Runner' Oscar Pistorius – video profile", The Guardian, London, retrieved 18 August 2012
  151. Ken Borland (22 February 2009), "Pistorius in intensive care after boating accident in South Africa", The Guardian, London, retrieved 17 August 2012
  152. "Oscar Pistorius backs Paul McGinley's claims to Ryder Cup captaincy", RTÉ News, 4 October 2012, archived from the original on 6 October 2012, retrieved 4 October 2012
  153. Laureus Golf Challenge-LWSA-Abu Dhabi 2010, retrieved 28 September 2012
  154. Oscar Pistorius at the Help-net Fund Celebrity Charity Golf Day, retrieved 28 September 2012
  155. Howden, Daniel (25 February 2013). "Why South Africa's top murder expert will not be involved in Oscar". The Independent. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  156. Wiener, Mandy; Bateman, Barry (2014). Behind the Door: The Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp Story. London: Pan Macmillan. ISBN 144726259X.
  157. "In full: Pistorius' affidavit to court". CNN. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
  158. ""Blade Runner" Pistorius charged with murdering girlfriend". London. Reuters. 14 February 2013.
  159. Bennett, Lucy (14 February 2013). "Paralympian Oscar Pistorius charged with murder". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  160. "Pistorius pleads not guilty on day one of murder trial". Business Day. 3 March 2014. Archived from the original on 20 February 2016. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  161. "In the Final Roll in the High Court of South Africa (Gauteng Division of the High Court, Pretoria) this 3rd day of March 2014" (PDF). SAFLII. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 March 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  162. "INFOGRAPHIC: The State vs Oscar Pistorius". News24. 2 March 2014. Archived from the original on 11 March 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
  163. Morkel, Devereaux (20 May 2014). "Psychiatrists, psychologist to evaluate Pistorius". Mail & Guardian. Archived from the original on 21 May 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  164. "Oscar Pistorius returns to court as experts rule out mental illness". Patrika Group. Archived from the original on 3 July 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  165. "Pistorius witnesses refused to testify – Roux". News24.com. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  166. Kobedi, Palesa (8 August 2014). "Pistorius defense team pleads for leniency". SABC News. Archived from the original on 9 August 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  167. Peralta, Eyder (8 June 2015). "Parole Board Recommends Oscar Pistorius Be Released In August". NPR. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  168. Laing, Aislinn (13 August 2015), Oscar Pistorius to be released from prison next week, The Telegraph, retrieved 14 August 2015
  169. Oscar Pistorius' early release blocked by minister, BBC News, 19 August 2015, retrieved 20 August 2015
  170. Valeska Abreu (19 October 2015). "Pistorius already at home – lawyer". The Citizen. Archived from the original on 22 November 2015. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  171. Smith, David (4 November 2014). "Oscar Pistorius prosecutors appeal against 'shockingly light' jail term". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  172. "Oscar Pistorius case: Judge Masipa allows appeal". BBC News. 10 December 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  173. "Oscar Pistorius may be paroled in August, as appeal set for November". Fox News. 8 June 2015. Archived from the original on 19 August 2015. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  174. Phillips, Claire (3 November 2015). "Oscar Pistorius appeal: judge says Steenkamp 'had nowhere to hide' – as it happened". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  175. Times, Los Angeles. "South Africa appeals court overturns Oscar Pistorius' verdict, convicting him of murder".
  176. "Oscar Pistorius verdict: Key quotes - BBC News".
  177. Dixon, Robyn (3 December 2015). "South Africa appeals court overturns Oscar Pistorius' verdict, convicting him of murder". LA Times. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  178. "Oscar Pistorius conviction upgraded to murder – as it happened | World news". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  179. "Africa Live: Oscar Pistorius guilty of murder for killing Reeva Steenkamp – BBC News". Bbc.com. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  180. Phipps, Claire (8 December 2015). "Oscar Pistorius granted bail and will take murder appeal to constitutional court – as it happened". Reuters. Thomson Reuters. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
  181. "Oscar Pistorius Faces Sentencing In June".
  182. Torchia, Christopher (8 December 2015). "Oscar Pistorius to Appeal to South Africa's Highest Court". ABC News. ABC News. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
  183. "Pistorius walks on stumps to show court his disability".
  184. Aislinn Laing. "Oscar Pistorius will serve half his six-year prison sentence for murdering Reeva Steenkamp before applying for parole". Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  185. "Judge explains Pistorius' parole eligibility decision". Australasianlawyer.com.au. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  186. "Oscar Pistorius treated in hospital after 'slipping in cell' - BBC News". Bbc.co.uk. 7 August 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  187. "Oscar Pistorius: Appeal over 'shockingly lenient' sentence - BBC News". Bbc.co.uk. 21 July 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  188. "Oscar Pistorius: Bid to challenge six-year jail term fails - BBC News". Bbc.co.uk. 26 August 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  189. "Fresh bid to get a longer jail term for Oscar Pistorius". News.sky.com. 15 September 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  190. World (17 September 2016). "Oscar Pistorius: Prosecutors accused of having 'personal vendetta'". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  191. "Oscar Pistorius let out of prison for four hours to attend grandmother's funeral". News.sky.com. 18 October 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  192. "Oscar Pistorius moves to prison 'better adapted' for disability - BBC News". Bbc.co.uk. 14 November 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  193. "Prosecutors appeal to extend Oscar Pistorius sentence". Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  194. "Pistorius jail term more than doubled". BBC News. 24 November 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  195. "Pistorius goes to the ConCourt". enca.com.
  196. "Oscar Pistorius appeal dismissed, closing 5-year legal saga". NBC Sports. 10 April 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  197. Grierson, Jamie (24 November 2017). "South African court doubles Oscar Pistorius's prison sentence". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  198. "Lifetime announces release date for controversial Oscar Pistorius movie in SA". Channel. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  199. "JUST IN: Oscar Pistorius family to take legal action over new film". News24. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  200. "Oscar Pistorius gives his first TV interview since murdering Reeva Steenkamp". The Independent. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  201. Clarke, Stewart (4 September 2018). "Oscar Pistorius Documentary Lands Global Launch with Amazon". Variety. Retrieved 17 July 2019.

References

Further reading
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Verena Bentele		 Laureus World Sportsperson with a Disability of the Year
2012		 Succeeded by
Daniel Dias
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.