Metro

Shock & sorrow among star’s fellow athletes

Oscar Pistorius’ murder arrest yesterday stunned the track-and-field world — with those close to him saying they saw no warning signs he could be capable of such violence

“It’s an international sport, but we’re a small community. Oscar was something of a superhero to so many beyond being a racer,” Road Runners President Mary Wittenberg said at a news conference at the New York Athletic Club for the upcoming Millrose Games in The Armory in Washington Heights.

“You can only hope there’s more to the story.”

Runner Nick Symmonds said Pistorius is “a down-to-earth guy. He’s a very charming individual. To see this coming from South Africa coming from his house boggles my mind.”

Alysia Montano, another runner, said Pistorius seemed like a normal guy.

“There was nothing overly aggressive about him. I wouldn’t expect him to be a suspect in a case like this. It was shocking,” she said.

Bernard Lagat, an eight-time winner of the Millrose Games’ Wanamaker Mile, lamented the turn of events.

“It’s a situation that involves somebody you say hi to, somebody that’s always the face of courage in the sport. For that to happen, it’s really sad,” he said.

In South Africa, a coach and teammate echoed those sentiments — and said he’d still support Pistorius.

“He [needs] support at the moment,” said Ofentse Mogawane, Pistorius’ teammate on the South African 400-meter relay.

“People should not rush to judge him until everyone hears his side of the story.”