Oscar Pistorius resumes training after murder accusation
South African Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius appears on Feb. 21, 2013, at the Magistrate Court in Pretoria, South Africa. After four days of combative hearings, a South African magistrate on Friday granted bail for Oscar Pistorius, the double amputee accused of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
Paralympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius has returned to training as he awaits a murder trial in the death of Reeva Steenkamp, according to a statement on his official website, although the release added that the athlete was "not contemplating a formal return" to the sport.
The statement noted that Pistorius' "family, and those close to him, have encouraged him to spend a few hours a week on the track to assist him in finding the necessary mental and emotional equilibrium to process his trauma and prepare for the trial."
Read more from GlobalPost: Pistorius at risk of "trial by media"
Pistorius is accused of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. The 26-year-old sprinter allegedly shot her multiple times early on February 14th, igniting an international media frenzy.
His next court appearance is slated for August 19th for a pre-trial hearing, the Associated Press reported, and he could face a life sentence with a minimum of 25 years in prison if found guilty.
For his part, Pistorius claims that the murder was accidental, saying that he mistook 29-year-old Steenkamp for an intruder.
"I think the emotions yesterday show how much he really did miss being back on the track and being able to run," agent Peet Van Zyl said of his client's return to training.
"Obviously with the world championships, both Paralympic world championships and IAAF world championships getting closer, it's even tougher for him not be running or training or competing," he added.