'Devastated': The crazy rule that stripped a vision impaired runner of a bronze medal

A bizarre disqualification

Paralympic marathon runner Elena Congost says she is "devastated" after being disqualified and stripped of her bronze medal just two meters from the finish line.

Ran with her guide

The 36-year-old Spanish athlete, who competes in the T12/B2 category due to a degenerative vision impairment, ran with her guide, Mia Carol Bruguera, in Paris.

Shortlived celebrations

Congost finished third in the T12 marathon with a personal best time of 3:00:48, and celebrated her efforts with her guide upon crossing the finish line. But the celebrations would be shortlived as her result was invalidated.

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Let go of her tether

She was disqualified because she briefly let go of the tether connecting her to Bruguera, who was suffering from a cramp. According to Paralympic rules, runners in the T12 marathon must remain connected to their guides via a tether at all times.

Fatima El Idrissi won gold

As a result, the bronze medal was awarded to Japan’s Misato Michishita with a time of 3:04:23 according to the Sportster, Morocco’s Fatima El Idrissi won gold with a world record time of 2:48.36, and her compatriot Meryem En-Nourhi took silver.

She believes she did the right thing

Congost, who won gold in the T12 women's marathon at the Rio 2016 Paralympics, voiced her frustration following the decision. She expressed that she does not regret her actions, believing she did the right thing by helping her guide.

"I want everyone to know that I wasn’t disqualified for cheating"

In a statement to Spanish news outlet Marca, Congost said: "I want everyone to know that I wasn’t disqualified for cheating, but for simply being a person with an instinct to help someone in need. I’m devastated because I had the medal in my grasp."

Still proud

"I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve achieved, but I was disqualified because I let go of the rope for a moment when someone fell beside me. I quickly grabbed the rope again, and we crossed the finish line together."

Well ahead of the bronze medallist

"The next athlete (Misato Michishita, pictured) was three minutes behind me. It was a natural reflex to assist someone who was falling. I don’t understand how this can be viewed as anything other than a moment of human compassion, not cheating or an unfair advantage."

Are the rules wrong?

What do you think? Is this a failing of the system, or do you think the rule is in place for a good reason?

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