Elena Congost after the International Federation refused to give her a bronze medal at the Paris Marathon: “A long and unpleasant path begins”

Harsh rejection of International Paralympic Athletics Federation. This Thursday morning Spanish Paralympic Committee reported that World Para Athletics informed that it did not agree to the request made by the Spanish entity to award the bronze medal, on an exceptional basis, to the visually impaired athlete. Elena Congostwho finished third in the marathon J.Paris Paralympic gamescategory T12, but was disqualified for letting go of the rope connecting him to his guide, Mia Carolwhen trying to help him when he was weak.

The reason for disqualification is the application of section 7 of rule 9 of ‘World Para Athletics (WPA) Rules and Regulations’ in the event of failure to comply with the obligation to be connected at all times to the athlete and his guide on the ‘tether’ (rope), from the start of the event to the finish line.

When the decision of the judges to disqualify the athlete was known, a protest was made by the representatives of the Spanish delegation present at the event, in accordance with the provisions of section 3 of rule 50 of the aforementioned WPA regulations.

Against the said decision of the judges not to uphold the protest, no appeal was filed to the Jury of Appeal (in accordance with the provisions of section 7 of rule 50 of the Rules & Regulations of World Para Athletics), for the following reason: cause : the disqualification of Spanish athletic judges is part of the so-called ‘field of play’ measures or decisions, which cannot be reviewed, except in a very limited type of cases that do not apply to the present case. The application of the rules of the game in the course of sports competitions corresponds to the judges, and re-arbitration is not possible when the aforementioned sports authorities continue to apply the rule to the event. As indicated, and consistent with the TAS-CAS doctrine, it was decided not to file an appeal against the judges’ decision.

However, due to the unfair situation that developed, and beyond the application of the sports regulations carried out, the CPE responded to a request to International Paralympic Committee (IPC) already World Para Athletics (WPA) who requested that, based on what happened, a bronze medal be awarded to the Spanish athlete in an extraordinary way. In the opinion of the CPE, sports regulations should not establish that disqualification occurs in cases where, without gaining the slightest competitive advantage, the athlete is forced to momentarily let go of the ‘tether’ to assist or attend to his guide in a situation of reasonable assistance.

World Para Athletics responded to the CPE to inform that the request made was not granted, although said international organization states that it positively appreciates the values ​​of solidarity and sportsmanship demonstrated by Elena Congost.

Elena Congost’s assessment

Quickly MD contacted the Catalan athlete, who upon returning to Barcelona made the following assessment: “The feeling is not pleasant, but I thought about it because they took a long time to respond. Together with the lawyer we have already started to take steps to start the judicial process because he did not think so; now a long and unpleasant path can be easier, and I think it is good for the International Paralympic Committee to recognize that the situation has not been fair. or right. Now it’s time for the unpleasant part, we still don’t know which court will take him and now it’s time for the shipments.”

Now in a sporting sense, the next big challenge is World Championship next summer and in february i can participate in a half marathon.