Oscar Pistorius failed to apply for parole because he did not submit it in time for his 13-year sentence for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Blade Runner, an Olympic and Paralympic medalist, applied for parole claiming he had already served half his sentence.

A parole board spokesperson stated that the bid of the gold medal winner was denied due to the fact that he had not completed the minimum required for early release.

The South African athlete will need to remain in prison at least 16 more months before being allowed to apply again in August next year.

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Due to a series of appeals, there have been legal disputes about when he should be eligible to parole and when his sentence began.

In 2014, he was convicted of culpable murder – similar to manslaughter. However, after many appeals, the conviction was elevated to murder in 2017. The sentence was 13 years and 5 months.

His lawyers claim that the sentence was started in 2014. However, parole board officials say that this contradicts a decision by the Supreme Court three days earlier.

Reeva’s mother June Steenkamp stated that Pistorius was not remorseful or rehabilitation before the hearing.

Sky News spoke with Tania Koen, a lawyer representing the Steenkamp families: “While we are pleased by today’s decision it is not cause for celebration.

We miss Reeva deeply and will continue to do so until the end of our lives. We believe in justice, and we hope it continues to prevail.

Julian Knight, Pistorius’s lawyer, stated that they would appeal against the refusal to grant parole.

Following his conviction in murder of his girlfriend, 36-year-old Michael is currently serving a 13-year and five-month sentence.

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The athlete began his bid for parole last August after claiming that he had done “everything in [his] power] to rehabilitate”.

An earlier hearing was cancelled because Pistorius hadn’t met Ms Steenkamp’s parents. However, in June 2022 the Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation confirmed that a meeting between Pistorius, Barry, and the victim’s dad had occurredas part South Africa’s restorative Justice programme.

Pistorius was best known for his sporting achievements, including winning gold at London 2012 Paralympics. He also made history by becoming the first double amputee in Olympic history to compete alongside disabled athletes.

All that changed when he shot his girlfriend to death in the bathroom of his Pretoria home, South Africa on February 14, 2013.

Pistorius insists that the shooting was a mistake. He claimed that he believed an intruder was inside the house, and he feared his safety.

He fired four shots through the locked door of the toilet, hitting Ms Steenkamp (29), in her head, hip, and arm.

Pistorius said in court that it was only after he struck down the door with a bat cricket bat that he realized who was behind it.

The prosecution said that the murder was premeditated, and Pistorius killed Ms Steenkamp following an argument.

Pistorius was initially found not guilty of murder but was later convicted of culpable Homicide, which is the equivalent to a manslaughter offense in the UK.

In 2014, he was sentenced for five years. He was released from prison after being placed under house arrest.

One year later, he was found guilty of murder by South Africa’s highest court of appeal.

He was sentenced for six years, which was at the time. The sentence was increased to 13 years and five more months after his sentence was deemed “shockingly lenient” by an appeal.