The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris were a breathtaking display of athletic achievements, with heart-thumping triumphs and stinging defeats. Since the epic conclusion of the Olympic events, Paris is again gearing up to witness extraordinary athletic prowess with the 17th Summer Paralympic Games. The upcoming international multi-sport para-sports event will kick off on August 28 and continue until September 8, 2024.

With about 180 nations taking part in 549 events across 22 sports, the event will be nothing short of spectacular. Although world-leading Paralympians will be showcasing their incredible talent and fighting for gold medals, the mystery remains whether 8x Paralympics medalist Oscar Pistorius will be hitting the tracks. Let’s clarify that with a detailed take on the situation.

Where is Oscar Pistorius now? Is he part of the Paralympic Games 2024?

With a cabinet full of Paralympic medals, South African sprinter Pistorius has always been a hot favorite to grace the top of the podium in the biggest par sports event. Oscar, a veteran of three Paralympic games, is one of the most successful athletes.

However, the 2024 Paralympics in France won’t witness the magic of the star sprinter. Following his conviction in his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp’s homicide, Oscar Pistorius had to spend over eight years in prison. His sentence lasts until 2029. Although he has been out on parole since January 2024, Pistorius has to remain confined in his home due to imposed conditions on his release. Since his release, the former sprinter is rumored to be living in his uncle’s mansion.

Oscar’s sports career, court trial, parole, and more

Pistorius’ life is a tale of triumph and tragedy. A renowned sprinter nicknamed Blade Runner for his extraordinary athletic achievements, he became a legend despite his double amputations. However, his exceptional rise on the sports horizon was unexpectedly cut short following a fatal incident, shattering his career.

Sports Career

Oscar Pistorius has had a massively successful sports career. The 6x Paralympics gold medalist in the T44 category (below-the-knee amputations) also etched his name in history as the first double amputee to compete in the Olympics. In addition to a stack of Olympic medals, the 37-year-old also boasts the 2011 IPC World Championships in 4x100m relay and two silvers in 4x100m at the African championship.

Court Trial

February 14, 2013 was the day that changed everything for Oscar. On that day, he fired four shots over the closed toilet door in his Pretoria home. Inside the toilet was his 29-year-old girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, who suffered fatal wounds on her hip, arm, and head that caused her demise. Why did he shoot his girlfriend, though? Well, he has always maintained that he suspected an intruder was hiding inside the toilet and, concerned for his safety, fired the shots.

After a year-long trial, Pistorius was acquitted of the charges of assassinating his girlfriend. However, the judge found him guilty of culpable homicide and sentenced him to five years in prison. Another twist in Pistorius’ case came in 2017 when South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal convicted him of assassinating his girlfriend. His five-year prison term was extended to six years and then ultimately to 13.5 years.

Parole

South African law dictates that every convict is eligible for parole after they have served half of their prison sentences. By the time Pistorius requested parole, he had served 8.5 years in prison. However, his parolе proposal was initially rejected in March 2023. But the parole board again considered his parole in November 2023 after his lawyer took the case to the constitutional court. Pistorius was finally given parole on January 5, 2024, under multiple conditions. He has to confine himself to the house for a given number of hours. However, he can’t speak to the media or drink alcohol.

That’s all for the Oscar Pistorius situation; however, before you switch to another story, check out the latest Think Tank episode on EssentiallySports. Maddison Skinner’s coach, a recognized name in American volleyball, gives a behind-the-scеnеs look at his star player.