Bolt in shock over Pistorius arrest
Sprint legend Usain Bolt says he is in shock over the arrest of fellow Olympian Oscar Pistorius, who has been accused of shooting dead his model girlfriend.
In an interview after the NBA’s All-Star celebrity basketball game in Houston, Texas, the Jamaican gold medalist still could not seem to believe it.
He said: “I’m still just trying to process it in my head to see if this is really real.”
Bolt said he did not know Pistorius well, but had seen and spoken to him at various events.
Asked if he planned to reach out to the double-amputee sprinter who became a star of the London Olympics and Paralympics, Bolt said he was not sure.
“I’ve got to stand back and see what’s going on and then I’ll decide what to do,” he said.
The world’s best-known Paralympian was taken into custody on Thursday after Reeva Steenkamp, 30, was shot dead at his exclusive South African home.
Pistorius, 26, broke down in tears as he appeared in court yesterday morning accused of her premeditated murder at the luxury gated Silver Lakes Golf Estate in Pretoria.
The gold medallist, who earned his Blade Runner nickname because of his prosthetic racing legs, was supported by his father Henke, brother Carl and sister Aimee as prosecutors said they would pursue a charge of premeditated murder.
His family and management company yesterday issued a staunch denial of the allegation on behalf of the track superstar.
They said: “Firstly, and most importantly, all our thoughts today must be with the family and friends of Reeva Steenkamp.
“Oscar Pistorius has appeared in court here in Pretoria this morning formally charged with the murder of Reeva Steenkamp. The alleged murder is disputed in the strongest terms.”
