South Africa's Paralympic gold medalist Oscar Pistorius has been charged with the Valentine's Day murder of his model girlfriend, police confirmed on Thursday ahead of his expected court appearance.

"I can confirm that a suspect has been charged, he has been charged with murder," said police spokesman Katlego Mogale. Officials said there was no other suspect in the case.

The 26-year-old athlete known as the "Blade Runner" was arrested earlier on Thursday following a fatal shooting at his home in an upscale area near Pretoria.