London: The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has revealed that Oscar Pistorius would be allowed to compete at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio if the double amputee is not in jail.
Pistorius was found guilty of culpable homicide on Friday after the judge ruled that he killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp by mistake. Sentencing would take place on October 13, but Pistorius could compete at Rio if he has served his sentence.
IPC spokesman Craig Spence said that they would not stand in Pistorius' way, The BBC reported.
Pistorius, nicknamed Blade Runner, bagged six gold medals at three Paralympic Games and made history by becoming the first amputee sprinter to compete at the Olympics.
IPC director of media and communications Spence said that the organization's thoughts were with the family and friends of Steenkamp, but added that the organization would not block Pistorius if he had served his sentence and wanted to compete at Rio.
Spence said that providing Pistorius serves his sentence then he would be free to compete in IPC competitions going forward, and added that the Blade Runner would need to decide first whether he wanted to compete and then he would need to be selected by the South African National Paralympic Committee.
Read: Pistorious could get 'separate accommodation' in prison
Spence also said that if Pistorius had served any punishment given to him before Rio then the ball would be in his court.
But former Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson doubts whether Pistorius would make the Games even if he had served his punishment and was picked to represent South Africa.
The 11-time Paralympic gold medallist said that Pistorius would have missed a chunk of time training and competing, adding that his sponsors aren't there anymore and financially he's in a very difficult position.
Meanwhile, IPC chief executive Xavier Gonzalez is confident that Pistorius' conviction will not harm the profile of the Paralympic movement. He said that the trial has had no negative impact on the Paralympic movement.
