Paralympian Oscar Pistorius who is charged with the murder his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in February, has just won an appeal over his bail restrictions, the Associated Press reported. The could could potentially enable him to compete in the next World Athletics Championships, as well as events around the world, but reports have said the athletic commission may be dissuading those countries from allowing him to compete in them.
Judge Bert Bam agreed to the terms of the bail, but said he must provide authorities with his travel plans at least a week before he leaves the country. He must also return his passport to the court within 24 hours of returning to South Africa.
"I find no reason why the appellant should be forbidden to leave the country if invited to compete," Judge Bam said.
Pistorius says he shot Steenkamp by accident, mistaking her for an intruder on Valentine's Day. He currently stands accused of premeditated murder and his next court appearance is scheduled for June 4. There are world championship games in August, which he may intend to compete in, says his agent, Peet van Zyl.
"Based on this (the judge's decision), and if he is up for it and qualifies, the world championships will definitely be on the radar," Van Zyl told the AP. "It's his call. He's the one under all the pressure for the court case and grieving for Reeva."
However, the "sporting world seemed poised to give [him] the cold shoulder," according to the Guardian. British athletics, for instance declined to comment on the issue, but sources close to the governing body say he is unlikely to receive an invitation to run at the London Anniversary Games, to be held in the Olympic Stadium on July 27 or at the Birmingham Grand Prix on June 30. this year.
"it is believed that any organisers who do invite Pistorius will risk incurring the wrath of the authorities, who fear an onslaught of negative publicity for the sport," the Guardian wrote.
The decision to allow him to travel abroad was criticised by Samantha Sutton, a friend of the Steenkamp family who is close to her mother. "I thought it was disgusting," she said. I don't think it's right. I'm shocked. If you've got accusations like that against you, you should be like anyone else, but if you've got money and lawyers standing with you it's different of course."
Pistorius' appeal was prepared by Ramsay Webber, a legal firm based in Johannesburg.
Pistorius' case in South Africa has already been compared to O.J. Simpson, the ex-football standout who was accused of killing his former wife, Nicole Brown Simpson and friend Ronald Goldman.
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