Paralympic marathon runner disqualified and totally Banned from medal after error two metres from finish line…
In a heartbreaking turn of events at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, Spanish marathon runner Elena Congost was disqualified from her third-place finish in the T12 marathon, losing out on a bronze medal due to an unfortunate mistake just two metres from the finish line.
Congost, 36, completed the race with a personal best time of 3:00:48, but it won’t count in the official results. According to Paralympic rules, T12 marathon runners, who have visual impairments, must remain connected to their guides using a tether throughout the race. However, Congost let go of the rope to assist her guide, Mia Carol, just before crossing the line, resulting in her disqualification under Rule 9.7.5.
The bronze medal was instead awarded to Japan’s Misato Michishita, who finished behind Congost.
Speaking after the race, Congost expressed her frustration with the decision. “It’s unfair, surreal. The next athlete was three minutes behind me. It was just a reflex, helping someone who was falling,” she said, emphasizing that she did not gain any advantage from the action. “I have not been disqualified for cheating, but for being a person, for helping someone.”
Congost’s disqualification is even more painful given her financial situation. Having recently lost her scholarship, this setback may leave her without further support, despite her incredible performance.
In the T12 marathon, Morocco’s Fatima El Idrissi took gold with a world record time of 2:48:36, while her compatriot Meryem En-Nourhi secured silver. On the men’s side, Wajdi Boukhili claimed victory in the T12 marathon, and Switzerland’s Marcel Hug won his first gold and fourth medal of the Games in the men’s T54 marathon.
