LONDON: Oscar Pistorius’s conviction for culpable homicide after shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp will not harm the profile of the Paralympic movement, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) said yesterday.
Double amputee Pistorius, an icon for the Paralympic movement and instrumental in its rise in popularity, was convicted on Friday after a lengthy trial that has gripped his native South Africa and the world.
“Since it started this trial has no impact on our activities,” IPC chief executive Xavier Gonzalez said in a statement yesterday, following the conclusion of the trial.
“That will not change. The trial has had no negative impact on the Paralympic movement. Since London and Sochi 2014 we have seen an incredible growth in all aspects of our activities and we are looking forward positively to Rio and Pyeongchang.
“Oscar was a fundamental ambassador of the Paralympic movement in the period between 2008 and 2012. Since then the Paralympic movement has many other ambassadors and many other athletes that have been recognised globally.
“Following today’s verdict, our thoughts remain with all those who have been affected by this terrible tragedy, in particular the family and friends of Reeva Steenkamp who sadly lost her life in this incident,” the IPC statement added.Reuters
