The double leg amputee sprinter was charged with the murder of his girlfriend in February but was released on bail and recently saw his conditions relaxed following an appeal so that he can travel abroad if he wishes.

The 26-year-old six-time Paralympic champion has now been photographed running round a deserted track on his prosthetic blades in his home town of Pretoria but his family have moved to deny speculation that it signals an imminent return to elite competition.

"Oscar is not back on any official training programme," said a statement from Pistorius' family.

"This may change in future, but this will be a decision taken by Oscar, and Oscar alone.

"At this point Oscar is still in an extremely traumatised state and has made it clear to all of us that he is not able or willing to even contemplate this issue at this stage.

"We can confirm that we did have a meeting with Oscar yesterday where various family members and his trainer were present.

"We all encouraged him to get back onto the track to help stabilise him emotionally.

"Oscar has been out running on a number of isolated occasions in the days following the relaxation of his bail conditions, but each time has been very difficult and he has 'struggled immensely' with the decision to even leave the house.

"As a family however we encourage him to start exercising as we believe it is a vital step in helping him deal with the trauma."


Pistorius' agent Peet Van Zyl has also denied plans of a quick track return, but refused to rule the South African out of competing at some point later this year.

"He was just having a jog around his track on his own accord," said Van Zyl.

"He wasn't back at training.

"That picture was taken by a school kid on March 24.

"Myself, Oscar and his coach had a meeting on Tuesday to discuss him getting back to training.

"Based on that he told us he would like to get back in training and we can now look at formulating his training schedule.

"He is finding it very difficult and he is still coming to terms with the sad loss of Reeva.

"That is why it will be better for him to be back at training.

"It will be great to get him back to the track and get some routine; that's why we are taking it day by day.

"If it makes things easier for him to work through it and get some sense back into his life, let him run and let him jog.

"He's a human being and that's maybe an outlet for him."

Possible events Pistorius could be lined up to compete include the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships in Moscow in August.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) are set to discuss next week whether the South African will be welcome to compete at the IPC World Athletics Championships in Lyon in July.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
March 2013: Pistorius free to compete abroad after judge relaxes bail conditions
February 2013: Pistorius begins withdrawing from events after being left "numb with shock" following murder charge