Paralympics head says no decision taken on Oscar Pistorius competing

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/sep/15/oscar-pistorius-paralympics-sir-philip-craven

Version 0 of 1.

Sir Philip Craven, the International Paralympic Committee president, has claimed its stance on whether Oscar Pistorius, 27, would be free to compete again has been “misinterpreted”.

Craven, the Bolton-born president of the IPC, said he had been watching the Pistorius trial unfold over the past 18 months but insisted no decision had been taken on when the athlete, found guilty of South Africa’s equivalent of manslaughter for shooting his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, would be allowed to compete in the Paralympics.

“This is coming to some form of conclusion and we’re awaiting the sentencing,” Craven said. “Maybe the answer was misinterpreted. We were talking about the theoretical possibility if it fell into place. It’s not appropriate to comment on whether he could be back competing in the future before we get more information.

“There has not been any word of us welcoming his return or opening the door etc etc. We’ve got so much on our plate that we’re concentrating on that.”

Craven is to host an IPC meeting in Berlin in October to celebrate 25 years of the organisation and said it would focus on three main priorities: “Maintaining momentum of Paralympic Games, supporting the development of many more Paralympic athletes all over the world and continuing to develop world championships, regional games and national championships.”

Some of the athletes who came to prominence at the London 2012 Paralympics have complained that there has not been enough done to maintain elite level competition in the four years until the next Games, in Rio.

Craven said he could understand the frustrations but that the IPC was committed to improving the number of high profile events between Games.

“When you get a taste for something great you want more of it,” he said. “That is what we’ve put into motion in athletics and swimming - the quantity of the events has to improve and the quality.

“We are here for the long haul. This movement is going to be developing over the next 25, 50, 100 years. I hope we’ve laid the foundations.”

Craven said he was also heartened by the fact that more countries, including the US, were planning to broadcast live coverage of the Rio Paralympics.

“I’m confident that will happen,” he said. “It’s one of our main objectives with Rio 2016. What we wish to do is inspire and excite the entire world.

“A big piece of that puzzle is that NBC will be showing live coverage. Progress is being made but when you’re an athelte you want everyone to happen all at once.”