‘False Idol’ tells the story of Oscar Pistorius, the record-breaking Paralympic sprinter who murdered girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp
“False Idol” drops us into the 2008 Paralympics, at the start of the 100 meter final. All eyes were on two men, American Marlon Shirley and South African Oscar Pistorius, known simply as the Blade Runner. Shirley had won the two previous Olympic gold medals in the 100 meter sprint, but a staph infection in his knee and multiple knee surgeries had plagued him in recent years. This was his race to lose.
Before Shirley could think too hard about the next 10 seconds of his life, the starting gun sounded and all eight sprinters were off. And just as quickly, Shirley collapsed around the 50 meter mark after tearing his Achilles. He finished last, and his best friend and fellow American Paralympian Brian Frasure helped him to the finish line and to the medics.
But something that Shirley could not shake was the fact that when he was on the ground writhing in agony, Pistorius was completely unbothered, all smiles as he sat down near the track. And as Shirley put it, it was moments like these that show one’s true character, but no one could have known the depths of Pistorius’ nature.
“False Idol” is a Religion of Sports and PRX podcast about the rise and fall of Oscar Pistorius. Over the course of 7 episodes, journalist Tim Rohan speaks with the people who knew Pistorius, who competed against him, and people who got to know him during his murder trial. You see, while Pistorius earned him fame through his incredible athletic abilities, he earned his infamy by murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp just 6 months after the 2012 Olympics.
After his gold medal 100 meter run at the 2008 Paralympics, Pistorius would go on to become arguably the greatest Paralympian of all time. He became known for winning six Paralympic gold medals, having his name plastered throughout the record books, and becoming the first double-leg amputee to sprint in the Olympic Games.
He would face many roadblocks from athletic programs and organizations about running in non-disabled competitions, something Rohan dives into in this podcast. Scientists questioned whether his blades gave him an advantage over other non-disabled runners. He faced mass scrutiny for wanting to compete outside of the Paralympics, but he always had the backing from his home country of South Africa where he was hailed as a hero.
Besides the doors Pistorius actually did open for disabled athletes, “False Idol” also looks into his non-athletic past. As his fame only continued to grow, more and more details began to come out about him. He would drive at excessive speeds, loved guns, and once crashed a boat and needed serious surgery. Details of his private life were even worse.
“False Idol” not only dives into the murder of Reeva Steenkamp and the subsequent trial, but the impact of Pistorius’ downfall on the Paralympic community. He talks about the misogyny and gender-based violence that is sadly rampant in South Africa and Pistorius’ courtroom defense of Swart Gevaar. He talks about what it’s like to see a hero come crashing back down to Earth in an alarming display of cruelty.
It’s no surprise that “False Idol” is nominated for Podcast of the Year at the Ambies. It’s shocking, relevant, and does its due diligence to honor the short life of Reeva Steenkamp. She was an activist, a mentor, an aspiring lawyer, and a model whose career was beginning to flourish when she died. Be sure to check out “False Idol” to hear the full story.
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