Oscar will have tough time returning to the track

12 June 2015 - 02:18 By Julia Beffon

Oscar Pistorius's options in resuming his running career after being paroled are severely limited. He is due to be released in August after serving 10 months of his five-year sentence in connection with the killing of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, in February two years ago.The Paralympian's agent, Peet van Zyl, said from New York yesterday that he had had no contact with the athlete or his family - and would not until his return to South Africa next month - and so could not comment on his plans.But one thing is certain: Pistorius would not be able to join Van Zyl in New York. The US has some of the strictest entry laws in the world and, as a "convicted felon", Pistorius would not be allowed to enter the Land of the Free.Japan is as tough on felony convicts as the US but Pistorius's eligibility to enter other countries varies.Britain would automatically bar Pistorius for at least 10 years - when the sentence might be regarded as "spent" - whereas Canada, Australia and New Zealand allow someone to argue for rehabilitation. All three would be unlikely to admit him while he is on parole.Germany would be an absolute "nein", and the Low Countries might allow him entry after three years.For big - and lucrative - meetings, Pistorius might have to look to countries such as those in the United Arab Emirates, where entry requirements can be waived at the behest of government agencies.Laws differ widely across Africa, although there are few major athletics meetings on the continent with the resources to pay large appearance fees.As for representing South Africa at the Olympics and Paralympics in Rio next year, there is no legal impediment to his selection for the national squad, assuming parole conditions - or any violation of them - do not prohibit it.The SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee points out that Pistorius would have to set a qualifying time before the question of selection arises.Both Sascoc and Paralympic officials on record at the time of sentencing said he could not compete for this country until the end of his full five-year sentence, regardless of parole...

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