Oscar Pistorius, Paralympic Gold Medalist Runner, Granted Parole More Than 10 Years After Killing His Girlfriend
Oscar Pistorius, a South African Paralympian, is set to be released from jail on parole.
Oscar Pistorius, known as the “Blade Runner” for his carbon-fiber prosthetic legs, was granted parole on Friday, but the South African parole board said the decision would not take effect until Jan. 5.
Pistorius competed in the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens and won gold in the 200 meters.
At the 2008 Paralympics, Pistorius won gold in the 100, 200 and 400 meters, setting world records in all three categories.
At the pinnacle of Pistorius’ career, he competed at the 2012 London Olympics, becoming the first amputee to race in an Olympic track event, and he was chosen to carry South Africa’s flag at the closing ceremony.
The trial garnered worldwide headlines. Pistorius testified that he’d mistaken the 29-year-old model for a burglar. He testified that he thought a dangerous intruder was hiding in his bathroom in the middle of the night. He fired four times through the door with his licensed 9mm pistol, killing Reeva Steenkamp.
