Paralympics boss coy on chances of Oscar Pistorius competing at Rio 2016 Games
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 on Monday, just over a year out from the start of the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Englishman Craven acknowledged the IPC would address the issue if necessary 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.
It’s up to South Africa, and until that decision is taken we would not have a position on it
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.
