Oscar Pistorius is free to compete for his home country of South Africa again, as long as his running doesn't go against the ruling of the judge in his trial, CBC Sports reported on Monday.
Pistorius, who will be sentenced next month after being found guilty in the negligent killing of his girlfriend, could compete whenever because the South African Olympic committee has no regulations preventing someone with a criminal record from representing the country.
Pistorius faces jail time after being convicted of culpable homicide in the killing of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. However, there is no minimum sentence for the conviction under South African law and the "blade runner" Olympian could receive a suspended sentence and no jail time.
As long as competing doesn't go against the judge's ruling when she decides Pistorius's sentence next month, he could compete for South Africa. Pistorius would only have to meet normal sports qualifying criteria.
Tubby Reddy, South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee chief executive, dismissed reports of a meeting of SASCOC officials this week to decide Pistorius's eligibility, claiming there was nothing to decide.
Pistorius was cleared to run overseas after appealing his bail terms last year, but chose not to while he concentrated on his murder trial.
Pistorius' agent, Peet van Zyl, said running now was not an option, but they would "sit down and take stock" after his sentencing hearing, which starts Oct. 13.
"It's all up to Oscar. He must decide what he wants to do," van Zyl said, adding he would only talk with Pistorius about running again after sentencing. "I don't know what his mindset is now. I will sit down with him. Is he keen or is he not keen?"
Pistorius wouldn't be allowed to compete while serving a prison or house-arrest sentence, but a fine and suspended prison term is also an option for the judge.
Pistorius' last competitive race was the 400 m final at the London Paralympics, when he retained his title two years ago.
