Blade Runner’s options limited post-prison

WHERE and when Oscar Pistorius will be able to resume his running career after being paroled is limited, despite charges being dismissed in his high-profile murder trial.

Pistorius is set to be released in August after serving 10 months of his five-year sentence on weapons-related charges in connection with the death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, in February last year.

The Paralympian’s agent, Peet van Zyl, said from New York on Thursday that he had had no contact with the athlete or his family – and would not do so until his return to South Africa next month – and so could not comment on any plans.

But one thing is certain: Pistorius would not be able to join Van Zyl in New York. The United States has some of the strictest entry laws in the world and, as a “convicted felon”, Pistorius would not be allowed to enter the Land of the Free.

Because of legal costs arising from his trial that ran to several million rands, it is likely the “Blade Runner” will have to look for events paying high appearance fees as well as those with significant prize money.

The notoriety gained from his trial might work for or against him in terms of possible invitations. Meeting organisers would have to consider the novelty value of seeing him run versus the fact that he admitted killing Steenkamp. The weapons and ammunition sentence will nevertheless have an impact on whether they are permitted to invite him.

Japan is as tough on felony convictions as the US, but his eligibility to enter other countries varies.

Britain would automatically bar Pistorius for at least 10 years – when the sentence might be regarded as “spent” – while Canada, Australia and New Zealand allow someone to argue for rehabilitation. All three would be unlikely to admit him while he is on parole.

Laws vary across the European Union. Germany would be an absolute “nein”, while the Low Countries might allow him entry after three years.

For big – and lucrative – meetings, Pistorius might have to look to countries such as those in the United Arab Emirates, where entry requirements can be waived at the behest of senior officials and government agencies.

Laws differ widely across Africa, although there are few major athletics meetings on the continent with the appearance fees.

As far as representing South Africa at the Olympics and Paralympics in Rio next year is concerned, there is no legal impediment to his selection for the national squad, assuming parole conditions – or any violation of them – do not prohibit it.

The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) points out that Pistorius would have to set a qualifying time before the question of selection arises. Both Sascoc and Paralympic officials on record at the time of sentencing as saying he could not compete for the country until the end of his full five-year sentence, regardless of parole.

Rio communications director Mario Andrada has said he is welcome to participate at the Games if selected. “It is not for us to judge him personally,” Andrada said in October.

resources

to

pay

large