Oscar Pistorius: Is the ‘Blade Runner’s’ career finished?

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He was the “Blade Runner,” the miracle man and the Paralympic athlete that could take on the very best able-bodied competitors.

It was a high-profile career that inspired millions, earned lucrative sponsorship deals and bridged the gap between Olympic and Paralympic competition.

Yet those remarkable sporting triumphs and the fame and fortune it brought Oscar Pistorius receded into the distance as the South African stood motionless in the dock in Pretoria as he received a five-year sentence for the fatal shooting of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day 2013.

In the most favorable scenario for Pistorius, he could be released from prison in 10 months under house arrest.

But even then, former athletes, officials and marketing experts believe a full comeback will be extremely difficult.

A dramatic return in time for the 2016 Paralympics is out of the question after the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) stated that Pistorius would be banned from competing for five years.

The IPC had previously stated that the South African would be allowed to compete in Rio if he was not in jail.

While there is a possibility Pistorius may be out of prison before the Games begin in Brazil, the IPC has since clarified that this will also include any period that Pistorius serves out under house arrest.

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“We’ve been quite clear throughout this process we would respect what sanctions the judge put down,” IPC director of media and communications, Craig Spence, told CNN

“Oscar can resume his career if he so wishes once he’s served his sentence in full,” Spence added, before clarifying that the IPC’s position may change should the sentence be reduced or lengthened.

Since bursting on to the scene at the Athens Games of 2004, Pistorius has been the Paralympic movement’s poster-boy.

Spence acknowledged the huge impact Pistorius has had but he pointed to the wealth of talent and inspirational athletes competing at the London Paralympics to emphasize the strength and depth that now exists in para sports.

“What London 2012 showed for us all is that the Paralympic movement is more than one athlete. There were lots of athletes that made the headlines in London … and the Paralympic movement has continued to go from strength to strength since (then).”

The IOC, meanwhile, refused to be drawn on whether today’s sentencing meant Pistorius would be able to compete in future events.

“We take note of the court’s decision,” said the IOC in a statement. “This is a human tragedy for the family of Reeva Steenkamp and also for Oscar Pistorius. We hope very much that time will bring comfort to all those concerned but at this stage we have no further comment to make.”

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Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2014/10/21/sport/pistorious-sentence-brand-comeback/index.html?hpt=hp_c1