Andrew Parsons: “Elena Congost’s case is closed”

The Brazilian Andrew Parsons, president of the International Paralympic Committee, said it was Tuesday regret what happened to Elena Congost after her marathon disqualification at the Paris Games when he came in third at the finish line, He assured that “the case is closed”, even though It is “obvious that he did not gain an advantage but rather helped a colleague”and declared that World Para Athletics will study the rule for possible revision.

Elena Congost, visually impaired, he came in third place in the Paris marathon. However He was later disqualified for letting go of the rope connecting him to his guide, Mia Carol, to help him when he passed out a few meters from the finish line and the fourth-place finisher was minutes away from the finish line. The release of the rope that binds the athlete and the guide is forbidden and the organization allows the Spanish athlete after the test..

“First of all I want to regret what happened. Elena tried to help her partner, the guide, and at that moment she violated the rules of the marathon event and was disqualified. “I understand his frustration, he regrets what happened, but we are a sports entity, we have a sports federation like World Para Athletics and we must respect it,” Parsons said.at a press conference.

“We have to learn from this. “World Para Athletics periodically reviews its rules and what happened served as an example to learn from as Elena clearly did not gain an advantage but rather helped a teammate.”said the IPC president, who assured that “the case is closed” for his part.

“We know that Elena may seek other legal avenuesit’s your right, and we understand it. No negative attitude from IPC. I offer Elena my solidarity but I am happy with the decision that the Spanish Paralympic Committee decided to give a scholarship as if she had won bronze. “It shows a lot of sensitivity,” he said.

“I don’t think this decision harmed the international Paralympic movement. This is an issue that occurs in sport, with athletes going through negative moments due to regulations or exceptional situations. What happened was extraordinary. Elena helped her partner but we respect the rules and I don’t think that means looking at us in a negative way.” he emphasized.

On his side Alberto Duran, president of the Spanish Paralympic Committeewho declared that the entity he leads is asking for “the questioning a formal decision made at a certain time because there are regulations and standards“.

“We know that this rule that we respect has had an unfair consequence because no one saw when it was made that this event could happen. The rules are not permanent but they are until an event occurs that requires them to be reviewed. With this issue of Elena, that rule can be changed although we don’t know what the meaning is or how,” he noted.

“Elena intends to go to extra-sports court proceedings and as a Committee we must respect this.. Beyond that scenario, I would like as president for Elena to win more medals and that is why we have done is provide the support instrument so that she can continue to compete and win more medals that way. Experience has shown us that rules can sometimes be unfair and a rule is sometimes so simple that it is unfair.” he concluded.