Once hailed as an international sports icon, Oscar Pistorius now finds himself grappling with life post-prison.
The ex-Olympian, 37, was released about three months ago after serving time for the murder of Reeva Steenkamp, his model girlfriend who was shot and killed on Valentine’s Day in 2013.
Since walking free from prison in January, Oscar has been living in his uncle’s luxurious three-story mansion and was deemed “too toxic” to work with.
The double-amputee Olympian reportedly contacted at least two members of the International Paralympic Committee after he served jail time and asked if they could arrange some work for him. However, he was turned down, according to one of the two members, who spoke to the New York Post.
Sources claimed Oscar Pistorius has been trying to find work but was turned down by at least two members of the International Paralympic Committee
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“He’s too toxic to work with now,” the member told the outlet. “There’s nothing for him here.”
As part of his parole conditions, the Paralympic sprinter has listed volunteer work at NG Kerk Waterkloof, a Dutch Reformed Church frequented by his uncle. His contributions there primarily involve light maintenance and janitorial duties, and he also attends the services at the church, according to the report.
“I almost didn’t recognize him,” church-goer Aida Govender told the outlet about seeing Oscar at the church last month.
“His hair is longer and he’s got a beard. He’s also not as lean as I expected. You would never know he was an athlete; he’s just not the same,” Aida added.
Another parishioner remarked on how the ex-Olympian has completely changed after serving out a prison sentence.
“He’s not friendly, not outgoing,” they said. “I don’t know if I’ve even seen him crack a smile. He’s just a shadow of what he once was.”
The double-amputee Olympian spent about nine years behind bars for the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp
Image credits: Waldo Swiegers/Getty Images
Oscar, once celebrated for his Olympic glory as a groundbreaking double-amputee sprinter, became infamous following his conviction for the murder of his girlfriend. He was found to have fatally shot Reeva through the door of a locked bathroom. Three of the four shots he fired had struck Reeva in the tragic incident.
Oscar claimed he mistook his girlfriend for a burglar when he fired the four shots with a 9mm pistol.
After his release from prison, Reeva’s mother June Steenkamp said it’s going to make no difference to her life now that he’s free.
“He had to come out, it’s inevitable,” she was quoted telling the ITV morning show. “He’s on parole now. It’s not going to make any difference to my life.”
“He’s done what he’s done already and I can’t do anything about that,” she added. “I’ve lost the most beautiful, wonderful child. And now I’ve been without her for so many years, I miss her every day.”
Some people online said they had “no sympathy” for Oscar over his post-prison challenges
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