It was part of a relaxation of bail conditions after the six-time Paralympic champion was last month charged with murdering his girlfriend.

Judge Bert Bam ruled that 26-year-old Pistorious could have his passport back and no longer needed to report to a probation officer.

The relaxation of initially tough bail conditions for Pistorius opens up the possibility that he could return to competition this year, including the IAAF World Championships in August and the London Anniversary Games on July 28, which is dedicated to showcasing last year's Paralympic champions.

Under the new terms, Pistorius will only have to give a week's notice that he is planning to travel abroad.

Pistorius' agent, Peet van Zyl, said, however, it was too early to say whether Pistorius was in the right shape physically and mentally to return to the track after being charged with murder for shooting dead his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentine's Day.

"We're not just going to jump now and grab any opportunity to run," said Van Zyl.

"It's Oscar's choice.

"He has got to be up for it.

"It will be his decision alone."

Among events Pistorius has already withdrawn from following the shooting was a scheduled race against Alan Oliveira, who controversially beat him to win the 200 metres at London 2012, on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro on March 31 to help promote the 2016 Paralympics.

Pistorius had been due to launch his 2013 season with two appearances in Australia, the first at Sydney on March 9 with the second in Perth on March 16.


The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) confirmed that Pistorius can compete at this year's World Athletics Championships in Moscow, as long as he achieves the qualifying standard, "on the basis of 'innocent until proven guilty' principle".

Another event that he may compete in is the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Athletics Championships, which are due to take place in Lyon between July 19 and 28.

Prosecutors claim Pistorius committed premeditated murder when he fired four shots into a locked toilet door, hitting 29-year-old Steenkamp as she cowered on the other side. 

She suffered gunshot wounds to her head, hip and arm.

Pistorius has said the killing was a tragic mistake and that he had mistaken Steenkamp for an intruder and opened fire in a blind panic.

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