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South African former Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius competes in a triathlon event, 12 years after murdering his girlfriend and a year after his release on parole, in the coastal city of Durban, South Africa, June 1, 2025
The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation has condemned the recent return of Oscar Pistorius to public sports, calling it an insult to the memory of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.
Pistorius, who was convicted of murdering Steenkamp in 2013, took part in the Isuzu Ironman 70-point-three event in Durban last week.
This was Pistorius’ first athletic appearance since being released on parole in January 2024.
UDM’s Secretary-General, Thandi Nontenja says Pistorius’s return to public sports is an insult.
“This is an insult to all the victims of gender-based violence in South Africa. We all know that at the moment, the country has a pandemic that is reaching a crisis point for femicide. To have him on parole is one thing but to have to him participating in public sports as if nothing had happened, is heart rendering for the family that lost a child who will never participate in anything, not even her own birthday.”
The double amputee finished third in the physically disabled category and 555th overall.
He completed the 1.9 kilometer swim in 43 minutes and 42 seconds, the 90.9 kilometer cycle in three hours, two minutes and 15 seconds and the half marathon or 21.1 kilometer run in one hour, 57 minutes and 20 seconds.
Adding his transition times, he completed the grueling event in five hours, 56 minutes and 28 seconds.
