Oscar Pistorius' track career was put on holdindefinitely Sunday because of his murder charge, reinforcing the possibilitythat the double-amputee Olympian and disabled sports icon might never run againcompetitively on his famous carbon fiber blades.
Pistorius' agent was forced to cancel all future races, hesaid, so Pistorius could concentrate on defending himself against allegationshe murdered his model girlfriend by shooting her several times in his upscalehouse on Valentine's Day morning.
Reeva Steenkamp died from gunshot wounds suffered insidePistorius' home in the predawn hours of Thursday. Pistorius was arrested andcharged with her murder the same day. His family denies he murdered her.
"I have decided that following these tragic events thatwe have no option but to cancel all future races that Oscar Pistorius had beencontracted to compete in," agent Peet van Zyl said in a written statementlate Sunday night.
A few hours earlier, Van Zyl had visited his athlete at apolice station in the South African capital, Pretoria, where he is being heldin custody in a red-bricked, one-story building with green metal fencing.
Pistorius has been there since Friday following the shockingdevelopments at his villa in a gated community in Pretoria's eastern suburbswhere Steenkamp was shot dead.
Her death and Pistorius' arrest stunned South Africans, whorevered Pistorius for his humble nature and success at overcoming adversity tobecome an international star, despite having his lower legs amputated as ababy.
Pistorius still had "overwhelming support" fromhis fans, Van Zyl said as he left Brooklyn police station, but the agentsteered away from a question from a reporter on what Pistorius' emotional statewas now like following the death of his girlfriend and a possible realizationthat his entire career was in ruins.
Pistorius' sponsors — including big-name brands Nike andeyewear manufacturer Oakley — were also sticking by him, Van Zyl said. But thatcould depend on the outcome of a possibly lengthy murder trial.
"Regarding sponsors and partners, I can confirm that atthis point in time, all parties are supportive and their contractualcommitments are maintained," Van Zyl's In Site Athlete Management companysaid. "They have said they are happy to let the legal process takes itscourse before making any change in their position."
The Beaverton, Ore-based Nike Inc. and Foothill Ranch,Calif.-based Oakley Inc. did not immediately respond to messages from TheAssociated Press seeking comment.
Pistorius was quickly arrested and charged with murderThursday, with prosecutors saying at his first court appearance a day laterthat they would pursue a more serious premeditated murder charge, which carriesa life sentence.
Pistorius broke down and wept in the court, with his face inhis hands. His family later denied he murdered Steenkamp and said the state'sown evidence "strongly refutes" any possibility of a murder.
"I am not going to comment on anything except that(what) is related to his athletics career at this point in time," Van Zyltold reporters outside the police station after being asked how Pistorius wascoping. "Obviously from a management side and also as a friend, it's atragic circumstance and events that have unfolded and we can only give Oscarour support at this point in time."
Family members and his lawyers also visited Pistorius onSunday, but declined comment both when they arrived and when they left the citycenter police station.
The family of Steenkamp, a model, law graduate and buddingreality TV star, told The Associated Press that her body had been released bypolice after an autopsy and was back in their hometown of Port Elizabeth onSouth Africa's southern coast.
"Reeva is back home," the late model's brother,Adam Steenkamp, told the AP by phone. He had flown back from Britain, where henow lives, to be with the family.
They also said Steenkamp's funeral would be held Tuesday andwould be a private ceremony for family at a local crematorium. Media would notbe allowed in.
The main purpose for Van Zyl's visit to Brooklyn policestation Sunday afternoon was to discuss Pistorius' running career, but"also to visit him as a friend and give him my moral support," theagent said. "On a personal level I wanted to offer my support to Oscar,who I have known and worked with for the last seven years and consider a friendand a great professional athlete."
Following the meeting, Van Zyl announced publicly that thefive races that Pistorius had confirmed for in 2013 were canceled: two inAustralia in March, exhibition races against fellow Paralympic champions AlanOliveira of Brazil and Jonnie Peacock of Britain, and an appearance at the U.S.Drake Relays in Iowa.
Van Zyl's decision to cancel those races was first reportedby the AP on Saturday. All others that were still in negotiation were also nowcalled off, Van Zyl said on Sunday.
The high-profile rematch with Oliveira, who beat Pistoriusin the 200 meters at the London Paralympics last year, was to be a straightline 200 race on Copacabana beach to promote the 2016 Rio Olympics andParalympics.
The runner's main goal for 2013 was to qualify for theworlds in Moscow in August, which is now almost certainly not going to happen.
Pistorius was the first amputee athlete to run at the worldchampionships in 2011, then made history when he competed at last year'sOlympics in London.
He and his coach have both said that they aimedto retire from track after the Rio Games, but one of the world's most famousathletes, who fought for years to be allowed to run against able-bodiedcompetitors, is now facing the possibility he will never go to any major meetagain.