Oscar makes world headlines

South African olympian Oscar Pistorius is escorted from the Boschkop Police station on his way to the Pretoria magistrate's court. He allegedley shot his girlfrien dead. 140213. picture: Chris Collingridge 575

South African olympian Oscar Pistorius is escorted from the Boschkop Police station on his way to the Pretoria magistrate's court. He allegedley shot his girlfrien dead. 140213. picture: Chris Collingridge 575

Published Feb 15, 2013

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Pretoria - Paralympian Oscar Pistorius made headlines across the world after he was arrested following the shooting of his girlfriend and model Reeva Steenkamp.

International news broadcasters and newspapers extensively covered the story, detailing the couple's career histories and their relationship.

The BBC reported Pistorius's rise to fame, and how at the age of 17, he won gold in the T44 200m at the 2004 Athens Paralympics and went on to be one of the best-known figures in paralympic sport.

Steenkamp, who graduated in law from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth, was described as a model and celebrity who graced many magazine covers.

CNN posted pictures of “The Blade Runner” on the track at various events across the world, and also included that of him leaving the Boschkop police station on Thursday after he was formally charged with murder, his face hidden under the hood of a grey sweater.

The UK's Guardian website described Pistorius as “the golden boy with an edge of steel” and claimed the couple had already been christened “South Africa's answer to Posh and Becks”.

Following sports apparel Nike's removal of the tagline “I am the bullet in the chamber” from his website, the Guardian said Nike had an “unfortunate history of associating with athletes who attract adverse publicity”.

The Mirror's website featured a photo essay of Pistorius and Steenkamp at various public events, and aerial photos of the Silver Woods Country Estate, in Pretoria, which is Pistorius's home.

Pistorius is expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on Friday on a murder charge. - Sapa

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