Pistorius, one of the biggest names in Paralympic sport, not only won gold at the London 2012 Paralympics but also became the first double leg amputee to participate in the Olympics at the London 2012 Games.

“For the first two days when I heard about it I was in limbo,” Sir Philip recalled.

“Then I thought we have got to get out there to our members who are all probably having similar thoughts to myself of despondency and feeling surely this could not have happened.”

Thoughts tumbled through his mind until he got to the point of “realising” it had actually happened and then deciding to officially “recognise that fact – so that we don’t lose the positives of what did happen in London (at the Paralympics) and can continue to work and move forward”.

He noted: “The legalities of the court case mean that a lot has to be left (unsaid).”

Pistorius is accused of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model and law graduate, on February 14.

The track sprinter has said he shot Ms Steenkamp through a bathroom door thinking an intruder was inside his house.

He was granted bail on February 22 with a trial expected later this year or in early 2014.

Sir Philip said: “Our condolences to the family of Reva Steenkamp are absolute but also we have a duty to all Para-athletes all over the world to keep moving forward with this great movement.”

The absence of Pistorius, a long-time golden boy and ambassador for Paralympic sports, is a loss but other global talent is making an impact, Sir Philip said.

A record 4,237 athletes from 164 countries competed at London 2012. It was the biggest Paralympics to date and included 15 new countries taking part.

It also highlighted the need for global grassroots development, especially in African and Latin American countries.

Of the record 4,237 athletes involved, 45% of all athletes came from 10 countries, while in contrast 46 countries sent one athlete.

London 2012 saw breakthroughs for British 100m sprinter champion Jonnie Peacock, and Johanna Benson won gold in the T37 200m to become Namibia’s first gold medal winner in either the Olympics or Paralympics.

Sir Philip pinpointed them as possible stars who may help in the global appeal of Para-sport.

He said: “Oscar is a great, great athlete – there is no doubt about that – and a trailblazer.

“He is someone whom the movement really has to thank incredibly for moving us to where we were before the start of the Games in London.

“But as I have said, even prior to those London 2012 Paralympics, there would be 4,200 great stars coming through in London.

“Many of them have come through and are household names – and not just in Britain.

“I think of Johanna Benson from Namibia who won gold in the stadium.

“She has become a national heroine in Namibia, which is fantastic for Para-sport.

“Oscar is a very great athlete in a very difficult situation which of course we are continuing to monitor and observe, but as I have said before the movement will move ahead.

“There are some great stars out there and those stars are coming together in various world championships this year.”

Peacock was “certainly the golden boy of the Paralympics” last year,according to Sir Philip .

“I do not think it has ever happened in an Olympics or Paralympics where an 80,000 crowd has been asked to go silent so that they can hear the starter’s gun (at the start of the 100m final).

“For him to then go on and win the gold medal is absolutely amazing, but of course you have a great year then you have to come back and show them that this was not a one-off.

“You have to come back and produce the goods.

“He is what we have been expecting – a great star – along with some others.”