21 May 2013

Pistorius rules out track return this year - report

6:26 am on 21 May 2013

South African Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius will not compete in any events this year, as he awaits trial for murder.

Pistorius is on bail after being charged with the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in his Pretoria home in February. His next court appearance is scheduled for 4 June.

The sprinter's agent had previously said August's world championships in Moscow were "on the radar" after the athlete's bail conditions were relaxed in March and he was granted permission to travel abroad, Reuters reports.

But athlete, nicknamed 'Blade Runner', will not return to the track in 2013 according to his coach, Ampie Louw.

Mr Louw told South Africa's EyeWitness News that Pistorius was not in a position to train and races would be postponed for the whole year.

Pistorius won worldwide fame by becoming the first double-amputee to run at the Olympics when he reached the semi-finals of the 400 metres last year in London and then went on to win two gold medals at the Paralympics.