Pistorius free to compete for South Africa unless judge rules otherwise

Paralympic runner Oscar Pistorius is reportedly free to compete for South Africa again, as long as the double amputee's running does not go against the judge's ruling in his murder trial.

Pistorius, who is due to be sentenced next month after being found guilty in the negligent killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, could compete at any time because the South African Olympic committee had no regulations preventing someone with a criminal record from representing the country.

South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) chief executive Tubby Reddy has said that as Pistorius stands right now, he's free to compete, Stuff.co.nz reported.

Pistorius is facing years in jail after being convicted of culpable homicide in the killing of Steenkamp. However, there was no minimum sentence for the conviction in South African law and the double-amputee Olympian could receive a suspended sentence and no jail time.

Reddy said that as long as competing didn't go against the ruling of the judge when she decides Pistorius' sentence next month, he could run for South Africa. Pistorius would only have to meet normal sports qualifying criteria.

Reddy dismissed reports of a meeting of SASCOC officials this week to decide Pistorius' eligibility, saying that there was nothing to decide.

Last year, Pistorius was cleared to run overseas after appealing his bail terms, but chose not to while he concentrated on his murder trial.

Pistorius' agent, Peet van Zyl, said that competing now is not an option but they would 'sit down and take stock' after his sentencing hearing, which starts on October 13.

Van Zyl said that it is all up to Pistorius, adding that the Paralympian must decide what he wants to do.