At the 2012 London Olympics, before 80,000 roaring fans and a constellation of camera flashes, it took Oscar Pistorius 45.44 seconds to become a global icon. The South African’s 400-metre sprint was the first time in history that a double-amputee had raced at the Olympic Games. It capped an Olympian triumph over adversity for Pistorius. His journey from disabled child to world-class athlete seemed to embody the very best of sporting endeavour and the human […]
Tag: Oscar Pistorius
‘Blade runner’ legs give maimed Thai dog new lease on life
PHUKET, Thailand (AFP) — Just over a year after he was maimed for gnawing on someone’s shoes, Cola is romping across a beach on new sleek paws: curved “blade runner” prosthetics modeled on those used by Paralympian sprinters. The former street pup nearly lost his life last year after a Bangkok man hacked off his front legs with a sword in revenge for chewing up his boots. A quick trip to the vet saved Cola […]
Pistorius injured in prison brawl over phone
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (Agence France Presse) — Former Paralympic champion and convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius has been injured in a prison brawl over the use of a public phone, a South African official said on Tuesday. The double amputee — who is serving a 13-year jail term for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp — was left with a bruise after “an altercation with another inmate over the use of a public phone” on […]
Oscar Pistorius: The ‘broke and broken’ Olympian
by Ben Sheppard Agence France-Presse JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AFP) — At the 2012 London Olympics, before 80,000 roaring fans and a constellation of camera flashes, it took Oscar Pistorius 45.44 seconds to become a global icon. The South African’s sprint around the 400-meter track was the first time in history that a double-amputee had raced at the Olympic Games. The race capped an Olympian triumph over adversity for Pistorius. His journey from disabled child to […]
Pistorius a “broken” man, psychologist tells South African court
(Reuters) Oscar Pistorius is a “broken” man who should not be jailed for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, a psychologist told a court in South Africa on Monday, while a prosecutor said he has shown no remorse. The 29-year-old Paralympic gold medalist, known as “Blade Runner” for the carbon-fibre prosthetics he wore when racing, faces a minimum 15-year jail term after his manslaughter conviction for the 2013 killing was upgraded on appeal. […]
Pistorius’ lawyers oppose verdict, jail sentence appeal
(Reuters) – Oscar Pistorius’ lawyers have formally opposed an appeal by the state against the South African athlete’s culpable homicide verdict and five-year jail sentence handed down last month, prosecutors said on Friday. Pistorius was sentenced in the negligent killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp after the state failed to convince judge Thokozile Masipa that he intended to kill when he fired shots through a locked toilet door at his luxury Pretoria home. Prosecutors appealed […]
South African prosecutors appeal Pistorius verdict and sentence
(Reuters) – The South African prosecution authority confirmed on Tuesday it would file an appeal against the culpable homicide verdict and five-year jail sentence handed down to paralympian Oscar Pistorius last month. Pistorius was absolved of the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at the end of a seven-month trial after the state failed to convince judge Thokozile Masipa of Pistorius’ intent to kill when he fired through a locked toilet door at his luxury […]
Pistorius starts five-year term for killing Reeva Steenkamp
(Reuters) – Olympic and Paralympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius started his five-year jail sentence on Tuesday for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, marking the end of a trial that has gripped South Africa and millions around the world. His uncle, Arnold Pistorius, indicated he would not appeal. As judge Thokozile Masipa gave her decision on the 27-year-old’s culpable homicide conviction, Pistorius, whose downfall has been likened to that of American football star O.J. Simpson, stood resolutely […]
Pistorius faces prison hospital wing if sentenced to jail
(Reuters) – Oscar Pistorius will be committed to the hospital wing of one of South Africa’s toughest prisons if the double-amputee Olympic track star is sentenced to jail time for killing his girlfriend, the head of the prison service said on Thursday. On the fourth day of Pistorius’ sentencing hearing, Zach Modise, who has worked in the prison service for 35 years, was questioned by the defense about conditions at the Pretoria Central Prison, Pistorius’ […]
Pistorius convicted, but awaits sentence
(Reuters) – Olympic and Paralympic track star Oscar Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide on Friday, escaping the more serious charge of murder for the killing of his girlfriend, and will now battle to avoid going to prison. The 27-year-old double amputee, who became one of the biggest names in world athletics, stood impassively in the dock, his hands folded in front of him, as Judge Thokozile Masipa delivered her verdict. Pistorius was also convicted […]
Pistorius found guilty of culpable homicide
(Reuters) – Oscar Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide on Friday, having escaped the more serious charge of murder for the killing of his girlfriend, and the Olympic and Paralympic track star could face a lengthy prison sentence. The 27-year-old double amputee, who became one of the biggest names in world athletics, stood impassively in the dock, his hands folded in front of him, as Judge Thokozila Masipa delivered her verdict. Pistorius was also cleared […]
South African judge clears Pistorius of premeditated murder
(Reuters) – A South African judge cleared Oscar Pistorius of premeditated murder on Thursday, saying prosecutors had failed to prove the Olympic and Paralympic track star explicitly intended to kill his girlfriend on Valentine’s Day last year. Although she described the 27-year-old as a “very poor” and “evasive” witness, judge Thokozile Masipa said this did not mean the track star was necessary guilty in a case that she said was based entirely on circumstantial evidence. […]





