Paralympian Oscar Pistorius finds new love following prison release after killing girlfriend

The 38-year-old former athlete, who is dubbed "Blade Runner" for the prosthetics he used, is reportedly dating Rita Greyling, a family friend and business management consultant from Wakkerstroom, South Africa, newspaper Netwerk24 reported. The couple has been keeping their relationship private, with sources close to Pistorius said that he is focused on rebuilding his life.

"He is trying to rebuild his life in a low-key way and avoids bars and restaurants and the general public and is flying under the radar," a source close to the athlete told The Sun. "He is slowly trying to reintegrate into society but that is being done through families that his family have been close to for decades."

Since his release, Pistorius, 38, has moved into the £2 million ($2.54 million) mansion of his wealthy uncle, Arnold Pistorius, in Pretoria. Arnold, who made his fortune in property and tourism, has hired armed guards and a guard dog to ensure his nephew's safety. Pistorius, who has faced challenges in finding work, has been volunteering at a local church nearby.

Rita Greyling, the new girlfriend of Oscar Pistorius. Photo by X/@rita_g7

Pistorius was granted conditional release earlier this year after serving more than half of his 13-year and five-month sentence for the 2013 murder of his then girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. He has served nine years behind bars.

A prison spokesperson emphasized that parole is not the end of the sentence but a way to serve the remainder outside the correctional facility. Pistorius must comply with parole conditions until his release date in December 2029.

On Feb. 13, 2013, Pistorius shot Steenkamp four times through a locked bathroom door at his home in Pretoria, killing her instantly. He claimed he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder and was later convicted of manslaughter in 2014. Three years later, South Africa's Supreme Court overturned the verdict, ruling that Pistorius had intentionally killed Steenkamp after an argument. He was sentenced to 13 years and five months in prison for murder.

Before his legal troubles, Pistorius was a celebrated South African track and field star, known for competing with two prosthetic legs. Born in 1986, he had both legs amputated as an infant due to a congenital condition. Pistorius won six gold medals at the Paralympic Games and made history at the 2012 London Olympics, becoming the first disabled athlete to compete against non-disabled athletes. Although he did not win a medal and only reached the semifinals, Pistorius was hailed as a national hero and an inspiration for millions worldwide.