Paralympian Denied Bronze Medal after Rule Violation While Aiding Guide — What Happened Yards before the Finish Line?
In addition to news outlets disclosing the details of the incident, the Paralympian shared some words about the medal denial. Netizens defended the runner’s actions, expressing that what happened to her was wrong.
Elena Congost, who hails from Spain, was just ten yards away from the marathon’s finish line at the Paralympics when she did something that cost her a bronze medal. The incident occurred in Paris, France on Sunday, September 8, which was the final day of the Paralympics.
User comment about what happened to Elena Congost, posted on September 10, 2024 | Source: Instagram/people and peoplemagsports
Violating one of the rules, Congost briefly let go of the tether connecting her to her guide, Mia Carol Bruguera, who stumbled and lost his balance due to cramping. The visually impaired runner assisted Bruguera, and as a result, was disqualified from receiving her prize.
Mia Carol Bruguera and Elena Congost during the Women’s T12 Marathon at the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games in Paris, France on on September 8, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Despite the duo hastily steadying themselves so that they could cross the finish line over three minutes ahead of the competitor who placed fourth, Congost was denied the bronze medal.
Providing context as to why this happened, media outlets report that visually impaired and blind athletes, who run with sight guides responsible for ensuring they remain on the right path, have to hold on to their tethers at all times. Should they, at any point, let go of that short rope that has a loop on each end, they get disqualified.
Elena Congost | Source: Getty Images
As a result of Congost’s disqualification, Misato Michishita of Japan became the new bronze medalist. Morocco’s Fatima Ezzahra El Idrissi and Meryem En-Nourhi took first and second place, respectively.
Fatima Ezzahra El Idrissi and Meryem En-Nourhi with her guide Abdelhadi El Harti and Misato Michishita of Team Japan during the Women’s T12 Marathon medal ceremony at the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games in Paris, France on September 8, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
While the International Paralympic Committee had not responded to comment requests by the time outlets began reporting on the story, Congost spoke out about what happened to her.
“I would like everyone to know that I have not been disqualified for cheating, but rather I have been disqualified for being human and for an instinct that comes to you when someone is falling and to help or support them,” she divulged to Spanish sports newspaper Marca.
Mia Carol Bruguera and Elena Congost. | Source: Getty Images
Speaking on the matter further, Congost expressed, “I’m devastated, to be honest, because I had the medal. I’m super proud of everything I’ve done, and in the end they disqualify me because 10 meters from the finish line I let go of the rope for a second.”
Mia Carol Bruguera and Elena Congost. | Source: Getty Images
The sorrowful moment juxtaposes Congost’s silver medal victory in the Women’s 1,500-meter competition in the T12 category during the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
This category (T12) is for athletes who are slightly less visually impaired than those in T11, who are near total blindness. T13 is the least impaired category.
Elena Congost during the medal ceremony in the Women’s 1,500 m – T12 at the London 2012 Paralympic Games in London, England on September 4, 2012 | Source: Getty Images
Four years later, in 2016, Congost scored a gold medal when she competed in the T12 marathon in Rio de Janeiro. Following her Rio de Janeiro victory, Congost took a break from competing and had four children.
Those who have read about what happened to the mother of four have been up in arms and have taken to social media to express their qualms.
“There needs to be exceptions to some rules. This is not OK,” asserted an Instagrammer. Similarly, another pondered, “I get that rules are rules but…..are these people missing common decency and any shred of moral compass????”
“This is ridiculous! If they can’t find these errors prior to giving medals, [then] that is on them and maybe shouldn’t be a judge anymore. I’m sensing some replacements soon,” added a Facebooker.
Jumping on the unfair rule bandwagon, an observer penned, “Seems so unfair. As they work as a team. In a way he’s her lifeline.”
Choosing to dedicate their comment to Congost directly, an admirer praised, “The fact that you have a disability and [are] willing to help. You are a WINNER.”
Expressing a slightly different viewpoint than the aforementioned netizens, someone else commented, “It’s wrong, but rules are rules. A male runner was stripped of his medal for [the] same reason.”
The similar instance the aforementioned spectator may be referring to is the case of Paralympian Jaryd Clifford. The Australian athlete was disqualified in August during the Paris Paralympics after he won the bronze medal in the Men’s 5,000 meters – T13 Final.
According to a sports outlet, Clifford lost his bronze medal for dropping his tether before crossing the finish line. The Para-athlete took to Instagram on August 31 to express how devastated he was over the matter.
Jaryd Clifford and his guide Tim Logan during the Men’s 5,000 m T13 Final at the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games in Paris, France on August 31, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
In the caption that he wrote alongside a picture of him and a statement he made about breaking down on the side of the track, Clifford addressed his mistake.
“Remaining tethered is a fundamental rule in guiding and I’m shattered that I lost my mind in those final meters […] I’m feeling so much love, I’ve got a great team of people around me. Sport can be a cruel beast at times, but the tough times are what make the good times so great,” captioned Clifford.