The 27-year-old athlete, who is to be sentenced next month for the fatal shooting of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, can represent South Africa because the country’s Olympic committee has no regulations preventing someone with a criminal record from doing so.
Tubby Reddy, chief executive of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic committee, told the Associated Press: “As he stands right now, he’s free [to compete].”
Oscar Pistorius wins gold in the Men’s 400m at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
The ‘Blade Runner’ faces up to 15 years in prison, but because there is no minimum sentence, he could avoid time behind bars altogether when he returns to court on October 13.
As long as judge Thokozile Masipa does not make any ruling that prevents Pistorius from competing for South Africa, Reddy said that the double amputee will be able to run if he chooses to.
