Pretoria, South Africa (CNN) -- Olympic and Paralympic runner Oscar Pistorius on Sunday canceled his appearance in five upcoming races, days after being charged with murder in the shooting death of his girlfriend in South Africa. The move is meant to help Pistorius focus on the legal proceedings and "help and support all those involved as they try to come to terms with this very difficult and distressing situation," said Peet Van Zyl of Pistorius' management company, In Site Athlete Management. The Valentine's Day shooting has stunned South Africa, where Pistorius is a national hero. Universal admiration for his sports achievements turned to shock, and with only scant details being made public, the questions are swirling.
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NEW: Pistorius cancels his upcoming races
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"We are in a state of total shock," his uncle says
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Famed Olympian Oscar Pistorius rejects the murder allegation
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Some South Africans remain puzzled over his alleged involvement
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