Oscar Pistorius should be banned from running track for life because of the culpable homicide conviction in the Reeva Steenkamp murder trial.
That’s according to United States Olympic legend Sanya Richards-Ross, who won four gold medals from 2004 to 2012.
Richards-Ross says that she used to be tight with Pistorius, but that his actions should have consequences.
“At the end of the day, there was a woman that ended up dead. I don’t think he should have the privilege of competing in the sport anymore,” she told TMZ.
The International Paralympics Committee is going to make a decision about whether Pistorius can compete after his sentencing takes place next month.
Pistorius faces up to 15 years in jail but the culpable homicide conviction carries no minimum sentence.
The committee’s director of media and communications Craig Spence told BBC Radio earlier this month that Pistorius would be allowed to compete at the Paralympics in the future if he is able and willing.
“Oscar’s done a great deal for the Paralympic movement. He’s been an inspiration to millions but obviously his priority now is to see [what] the judge decides. And then if he wishes to resume his athletics career then we wouldn’t step in his way – we would allow him to compete again in the future,” he said.
The committee’s chief executive Xavier Gonzalez added that Pistorius has been a “fundamental ambassador” for the Paralympics, and that the trial hasn’t had any negative impacts.
“Since it started more than two years ago, this trial has not had any impact on our activities. We have been very clear in differentiating our work from what was happening in the life of one individual,” he said.
There have been no comments from the South African Paralympic Committee, the International Olympic Committee, or the South African Olympic Committee.
There is a possibility that some sort of ban is included in the judge’s ruling.
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