BEIJING, Feb. 19 (Xinhuanet) -- Nike and Oakley, two corporate sponsors of Olympic "blade runner" Oscar Pistorius, have moved away from the South African sports star, who is charged with murdering his model girl friend on Valentine's Day.
KeJuan Wilkins, the spokesman of U.S. sports giant Nike, announced on Monday that it has no plans to use Pistorius in future ad campaigns.
He didn't released whether Nike had previously had any plans for Pistorius, or whether it will pull current advertising that includes him.
The company has already pulled an Internet ad showing Pistorius starting to sprint in his blades with the caption: "I am the bullet in the chamber" .
Wilkins said the wording in the 2007 campaign "was in reference to Oscar's speed and performance on the track. Nike felt it was appropriate to take the ad down from Oscar's website recognizing the sensitivities of the situation."
Moreover, U.S. eyewear manufacturer Oakley also suspended its contract with the sprinter.
"In light of the recent allegations, Oakley is suspending its contract with Oscar Pistorius, effective immediately. Our hearts are with the families during this difficult time and we'll continue to follow the developments in this tragic case," Oakley spokeswoman Cheri Quigley said in a statement released Monday afternoon.
So far, Pistorius' website, which has been posting statements from his manager and his family, still shows other Nike ads, as well as logos from Nike, Oakley and other companies.
Pistorius will appear in court Tuesday for a bail hearing. And his family insisted that the shooting was an accident.