Oscar Pistorius competed in the Ironman 70.3 triathlon in Durban last weekend, marking his return to competitive sport twelve years after murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
The 38-year-old former Paralympic champion finished 555th overall and third in the physically challenged category, according to results published by sports-timing company SportSplits.
Pistorius, who competed under race number 105, completed the gruelling event comprising a 2-kilometre swim, 90-kilometre bike ride and 21-kilometre run.
Photographs published by Afrikaans-language news website Netwerk24 showed Pistorius on his bicycle during the race, with his distinctive tattoo and carbon-fibre prosthetic legs visible.
Oscar Pistorius was released from prison last year after serving more than half his sentence
GETTYHis lawyer, Conrad Dormehl, confirmed to Reuters that Pistorius had participated in the Durban race.
Pistorius shot dead 29-year-old model Reeva Steenkamp through a locked bathroom door on Valentine's Day in 2013, in a crime that drew worldwide attention and shocked a nation inured to violence against women.
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The former athlete, dubbed "Blade Runner" for his carbon-fibre prosthetic legs, repeatedly said he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder and launched multiple appeals against his conviction on that basis.
He was freed from jail in January 2024 after completing more than half his sentence and is on parole until his sentence expires in 2029.
Questions have emerged about whether Pistorius had proper permission to compete in the event, with South Africa's Department of Correctional Services unable to confirm if approval was granted.
Singabakho Nxumalo, spokesperson for the department, told Reuters he did not know whether Pistorius had received permission to compete but would investigate the matter.
He said Pistorius's parole officer would have needed to approve him travelling from where he lives to another district.
Netwerk24 cited an unnamed source claiming that Pistorius had permission from his parole officer to compete, though this has not been officially confirmed by correctional services.
Pistorius was once the darling of the sports world and a pioneering voice for disabled athletes, campaigning for them to be allowed to compete with able-bodied participants at major sports events.
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Oscar Pistorius won six gold medals over three Paralympic Games
PA
He won six gold medals over three Paralympic Games in Athens, Beijing and London, and competed in able-bodied races at the London 2012 Olympics.
The former sprinter's fall from grace transformed him from celebrated athlete to convicted murderer, with his parole now set to continue until 2029.
His participation in last weekend's triathlon represents his first known competitive sporting appearance since his release from prison.
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