Former Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius, who was convicted of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, has been granted parole by a South African parole board. Pistorius had served half of his 15-year sentence and met the requirements for parole, according to the Department of Correctional Services. The decision came after a hearing at the Atteridgeville Correctional Center in Pretoria. Pistorius, known as the “Blade Runner” for his carbon-fiber prosthetic blades, was initially convicted of manslaughter but had his conviction upgraded to murder on appeal. The parole board had previously denied his request due to a technicality but was ordered to reconsider by the Constitutional Court. The decision has sparked controversy, with Steenkamp's mother questioning Pistorius's rehabilitation and expressing concern for the safety of other women. Pistorius shot Steenkamp through a locked bathroom door in 2013, claiming he mistook her for an intruder.