Pistorius' agent cancelling races

Pretoria, Feb 17 (AP) Oscar Pistorius' agent has begun cancelling races since the Olympic athlete was charged with the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Pistorius' agent, Peet van Zyl, told The Associated Press that he cancelled the contract yesterday for a high-profile re-match next month with fellow double-amputee Alan Oliveira to promote the 2016 Rio Olympics and Paralympics. Oliveira, who beat Pistorius in the 200 meters at the Paralympics in London last year, and Pistorius were to run a straight 200 on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro on March 31. Pistorius was charged with the murder of Steenkamp after she was shot dead at the home of the multiple Paralympic champion on Thursday. South African prosecutors have said they will pursue a more serious premeditated murder charge against the 26-year-old Pistorius, leaving him possibly facing a life sentence. "I can't plan anything," Van Zyl said of Pistorius' immediate running career, which was not a priority after the murder charge and Steenkamp's death. "I will only have him run when he is in a condition to run as a world-class athlete. Physically and mentally fit." Pistorius broke down and wept on his first appearance in court on Friday, while his family said yesterday in a statement to the AP that they were "devastated" and in "a state of total shock." MORE AP SSC SSC 02171004 NNNN