South African Constitutional Court deems Pistorius was eligible for parole in March

Department of Correctional Services spokesman Singabakho Nxumalo today said the DSC is "studying the order" from the Constitutional Court ©Getty Images

South Africa's Constitutional Court has ruled Oscar Pistorius should have been eligible for release from prison in March, deeming he had served half of his sentence for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013.

The now-36-year-old became the first double amputee to compete at an Olympic Games in the men's 400 metres and as a member of South Africa's men's 4x400 metres relay squad at London 2012, and he won six Paralympic gold medals from Athens 2004 through to the Games in London.

However, the sprinter's career ended in disgrace when he murdered Steenkamp at their home in Pretoria on Valentine's Day in 2013, firing four times through the bathroom door.

Having initially been convicted of culpable homicide in 2014, this was upgraded to a six-year sentence for murder in 2016, increased to 13 years and four months by the Supreme Court of Appeals the following year.

South African law dictates that offenders must have served at least half of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole, but in Pistorius' case there was confusion on when should be deemed the start.

By Patrick Burke.

Full story at Inside the Games.