An Australian Paralympic runner was disqualified and stripped of his bronze medal for breaking a « fundamental rule » inches from the finish line during Saturday’s race.
An Australian Paralympic runner was disqualified and stripped of his bronze medal for breaking a “fundamental rule” inches from the finish line during Saturday’s race.
Jaryd Clifford, who is legally blind, was left “gutted” after officials deemed the Aussie and his guide, Matt Clarke, were not connected by the tether when the pair crossed the finish line during the Men’s T13 5000m final.
Runners and their guides are required to hold the tether, a 20-inch-long band with handles on both ends, until the end of the race.
“I’m not just shattered for me; I’m shattered for them (his guides),” Clifford told reporters after the race, according to Nine.com.au. “They give everything for me out there.”
Clifford had two guides during the race — Tim Logan ran the first half of the 5000m before Clarke jumped in and ran the second leg.
“… That’s s–t. I can’t see how they DQ’d us, but I’m sure there’s a reason, which makes me nervous,” Clifford said before being told the official ruling.
