--- title: How Oscar Pistorius Went From Track Star To Accused Murderer | TIME description: Paralympian Oscar Pistorius went from role model track star to accused murderer in the matter of a day. Here's how he got there. canonical: https://time.com/video/xgLsW8dG/ og:title: How Oscar Pistorius Went From Track Star To Accused Murderer og:description: Paralympian Oscar Pistorius went from role model track star to accused murderer in the matter of a day. Here's how he got there. og:url: https://time.com/video/xgLsW8dG/ og:image: https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/xgLsW8dG/poster.jpg?width=720 og:type: video.other twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: How Oscar Pistorius Went From Track Star To Accused Murderer twitter:description: Paralympian Oscar Pistorius went from role model track star to accused murderer in the matter of a day. 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They are at time.com/newsletters and are separate from a paid subscription. ## Video: How Oscar Pistorius Went From Track Star To Accused Murderer [Watch (HLS stream): How Oscar Pistorius Went From Track Star To Accused Murderer](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/xgLsW8dG.m3u8) (2:57)  _Published 2014-03-04. Paralympian Oscar Pistorius went from role model track star to accused murderer in the matter of a day. Here's how he got there._ --- Jul 27, 2023 4:16 PM UTC --- ## More From This Series [All Videos](https://time.com/video/) [Oscar Pistorius Granted Bail For $688 After Murder Conviction](/video/I7PENrXC/) ### Oscar Pistorius Granted Bail For $688 After Murder Conviction [Oscar Pistorius Takes The Stand In Murder Trial](/video/l418nqZL/) ### Oscar Pistorius Takes The Stand In Murder Trial [Oscar Pistorius Murder Trial: The Prosecution Rests](/video/AIZiRPEe/) ### Oscar Pistorius Murder Trial: The Prosecution Rests --- ## Transcript Paralympian Oscar Pistorious went from role model track star to accused murderer in the matter of a day. Pistorius was born with fibular hemimelia, meaning he was missing crucial leg bones known as fibulas. I grew up not really thinking I had a disability. I grew up thinking I had different shoes. He had his legs amputated when he was less than a year old. But then, in 2002, Pistorius' mother died suddenly due to complications from surgery. A year later, Pistorius severely injured his knee while playing rugby, requiring rehabilitation sessions. That's when Pistorius took up running track. He told the Telegraph from there he never looked back. He first debuted in track competitions in 2004, and eventually went to that year's Paralympic games in Athens. There while competing against runners with just one amputation, he broke a world record and captured the gold in a 200 meter run. He got bronze in the 100 meter. That's when the blade runner first started to draw attention. A made in heaven brand ambassador for Nike, for Oakland. For a French perfume with a futuristic message. But controversy soon came over his artificial Cheetah legs and whether or not they gave him a competitive advantage. In 2007 the International Association of Athletics Federations banned Pistorius from competing against able- bodied athletes. Pistorius later appealed that ruling and won, making him eligible to compete again. He set his sights on making the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Pistorius competed in the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, but failed to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Games. However, around that time, Pistorius started making headlines for the wrong reasons. He faced charges of assault against a woman in 2009. After a few quiet years, Pistorius resurfaced to make history. Qualifying and competing in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. He's the first amputee runner to compete. He left medal- less after competing in the 400 meter and 4 by 400 meter relay. He competed in the Paralympic Games weeks later and medalled in three races. But a year after making headlines as a hero, a trailblazer, and a role model. Came the Valentine's Day shooting death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. The body of his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, was found in Pistorius' home in a gated community. She had been shot several times. Police say there are no other suspects. His defense has long argued that Pistorius accidentally killed Steenkamp after mistaking her for an intruder. But the prosecution maintained that South Africa's famed Paralympic athlete murdered her in a fit of rage. And confirmed that there has previously been incidents at the home of, of Mr. Oscar Pistorius. [ SOUND ]. Of allegations of domestic nature. Former friends of the track star described a man who was often drinking, angry and armed. He would have a trip switch, and you know, he'd get violent and angry and he'd fight with people and cause lots of problems. Pistorius has plead not guilty to murder charges and various weapon charges. CNN reports his trial is expected to take three weeks and he faces life in jail if convicted. The trial is ongoing. 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