and paralympics gold winner Oscar Pistorius, continues to enjoy backing from his sponsors including sports giant Nike, and BT, despite facing charges for premeditated murder of model girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.
Mr Peet Van Zyl, a member of Oscar Pistorius’ management confirmed on Sunday in an official statement that partners and sponsors of the South African athlete are “supportive and their contractual commitments are maintained.
“They have said they are happy to let the legal process takes its course before making any change in their position,” he furthered.
Popularly called ‘Blade Runner,’ Pistorius made world headlines at the 2012 London Olympics when he in an unprecedented form, competed against sprint athletes with his amputated legs aided by artificial support. Though he didn’t clinch any medal, he went on to win gold at the 100, 200 and 400-metre events, and breaking the world record over 200 metres, at the London Paralympics.
The performance earned him a Nike ad campaign with the slogan – “I’m the bullet in the chamber” which the American sports giant has pulled the plug on given the awkward resemblance between the ‘bullet’ and the shooting scandal.
Nike Emerging Markets Marketing Director Arturo Nunez said about Pistorius: “Nike routinely works with the best athletes in the world, and Oscar Pistorius stands out on that list.”
Oscar Pistorius was a source of inspiration to many all over the world.
He has covered the New York Times magazine and men’s lifestyle mag GQ South Africa, has endorsed brands such as MNet, and fashion house Thierry Mugler. His deal with Nike is said to be worth $2 million.
December last year, he told Sunday Times that he bought himself a $396,000 McLaren supercar as a Christmas gift for a successful year.