Paralympic marathon runner Elena Congost was left devastated after she was disqualified two metres from the finish line.
Congost had let go of the rope to help her guide Mia Carol Bruguera, who had been struggling with cramp
Congost had let go of the rope to help her guide Mia Carol Bruguera, who had been struggling with cramp
After Congost was disqualified, third place was awarded to Misato Michishita of Japan.
Rules state that all runners in the T12 marathon must be connected to their guide via a tether at all times.
Fatima El Idrissi of Morocco won the gold medal as she set a world record time of 2:48.36, while Meryem En-Nourhi secured silver.
The bronze medal was instead awarded to Misato Michishita of Japan (right)
The bronze medal was instead awarded to Misato Michishita of Japan (right)
Speaking to Marca, Congost admitted that she was left ‘devastated’ by the outcome.
She said: ‘I would like everyone to know that I have not been disqualified for cheating, but rather I have been disqualified for being a person and for an instinct that comes to you when someone is falling and is to help or support them.
‘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 metres from the finish line I let go of the rope for a second because a person next to me fell face first to the ground and I grabbed the rope again and we crossed the finish line.
‘The next athlete is three minutes away from me, so it was a reflex action of any human being to hold on to a person who is falling next to you.’