Parole Board Makes Decision on Early Release for Olympian Oscar Pistorius

The former South African Olympian is serving a 15-year sentence for the 2013 murder of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Former South African Olympian Oscar Pistorius, who was convicted of the 2013 murder of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, was denied early release by a parole board in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Friday, according to a report from The New York Times.

Pistorius was convicted in 2014 of the Valentine’s Day murder of Steenkamp, his 29-year-old girlfriend, whom he shot through the bathroom door of his home. Pistorius argued he thought Steenkamp was an intruder who had broken into his home and was hiding in the bathroom.

Pistorius was convicted of the killing, and ordered to serve 15 years in prison. The former track and field star has served about half of his sentence, and was hoping to be granted early release on the basis that he had been rehabilitated. The parole board ultimately denied his release because it determined that Pistorius had not completed the minimum detention period in prison.

Pistorius will be reconsidered for parole in August 2024.

The double amputee rose to prominence due to his run in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, when he competed in the 400 meters on two prosthetics.