Oscar Pistorius will not compete in athletics this year

Oscar Pistorius has confirmed he will not compete in any athletic events this year.

The Paralympian, who was charged with the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenakamp earlier this year, was allowed to compete as part of his bail conditions, however the athletes agent has confirmed now is not the right time.

Pistorius’s agent Peet van Zyl told PA that his client had received a number of invitations to compete but said that he is not yet ready.

“There was never any pressure from me or his coach [Ampie Louw] to return, it’s his decision,” said van Zyl.

The announcement rules Pistorius out of July’s IPC World Championships in Lyon.

The 26-year-old South African has admitted shooting dead his girlfriend Steenkamp in the early hours of Valentine’s Day this year, but has claimed that he shot her by mistake after believing her to be an intruder.

Defence lawyer Barry Roux said when the bail conditions were eased that Pistorius has no desire to return to athletics now, but added that “this might and this will change” if he needs to earn money.

Should he travel, Pistorius must give the authorities his travel plans a week before departure and must return his passport to the court within 24 hours of his return.

Pistorius’s bail was set at one million rand (£73,000) and he must return to court on June 4.