Double
amputee athlete Oscar Pistorius has been forced to cancel all future
races and says his “key focus” is now defending himself against the
charge he murdered his girlfriend, his agent says.
Peet Van Zyl said he had “no option” but
to cancel Pistorius’ track dates for the foreseeable future “to allow
Oscar to concentrate on the upcoming legal proceedings”.
Pistorius was arrested and charged on
Valentine’s Day with the premeditated murder of his model girlfriend
Reeva Steenkamp in Pretoria, South Africa.
Police allege that he shot 29-year-old Miss Steenkamp four times.
His family has issued a statement saying he denies the charges against him in the “strongest possible terms”.
Pistorius, nicknamed the Blade Runner,
is due to appear in court on Tuesday to face a bail hearing at which he
will be told if he has to stay in jail.
Meanwhile, the athlete is being held at a
police station in Pretoria, where his agent Mr Van Zyl and members of
his family visited him on Sunday night.
The agent spoke to reporters after
leaving the police station and revealed the double-amputee Olympian’s
track career was now on hold.
One of the race meets he has been pulled from is the Manchester City Games on May 25.
However, Mr Van Zyl said Pistorius’ sponsorship deals, including those with big-name brands Nike and Oakley, were safe for now.
“I can confirm that at this point in
time all parties are supportive and their contractual commitments are
maintained,” he said.
“They have said they are happy to let the legal process take its course before making any change in their position.”
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