BEAVERTON -- Nike has officially suspended its endorsement contract with South African OlympianOscar Pistorius.
The move comes just two days after the sportswear giant announced that it had no plans to use Pistorius in future ad campaigns.
The Olympic and Paralympicsports star known as the Blade Runner has been charged with murder in the shooting death of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
Nike released the following statement on its website late Wednesday night,
Nike has suspended its contract with Oscar Pistorius. We believe Oscar Pistorius should be afforded due process and we will continue to monitor the situation closely.
Before the latest developments Nike had already taken heat for a 2007 ad which referred to Pistorius as a bullet in the chamber.
A Nike spokeswoman told KGW the company removed the bullet ad from Pistorius' website after news of the murder came out a week ago. The company said the ad copy was in reference to Pistorius' speed and performance on the track.
At least one other sponsor has distanced itself from Pistorius. Earlier this week the eyewear maker Oakley suspended its contract with him.
