Paralympic marathon runner Elena Congost was disqualified from a bronze medal after an unfortunate error just two metres from the finish line.
The 36-year-old, representing Spain, finished third in the T12 marathon event at Paris 2024 – with a personal best record of 3:00:48 – but it’ll count for nothing.
That’s because Congost let go of the rope to help her guide, Mia Carol, two metres from the finish line, which is not allowed within the Paralympic rules.
All runners in the T12 marathon event must be connected to their guide via a tether and Rule 9.7.5 states that athletes will face disqualification if they fail to comply.
That’s exactly what happened to Congost with the bronze medal instead going to Japanese star Misato Michishita.
Fatima El Idrissi set a world record of 2:48.36 to win the gold meal – while the silver went to Meryem En-Nourhi in an impressive one-two for Morocco.
Wajdi Boukhili won the men’s T12 marathon while Switzerland’s Marcel Hug won his fourth medal of the Games – and first gold – in the men’s T54 marathon.
Great Britain hero David Weir finished fifth in the men’s T54 marathon and has confirmed that he is now set to enter retirement.
‘[I’m] quite emotional as I know it’s my last race for GB, this will be my last international,’ he told the BBC. ‘I’ll still do the major marathons as I really enjoy them and I’ve got Berlin in two weeks.
‘My body just couldn’t cope with it today to be honest. It’s an age thing as well. I was the oldest in that field today but, still highly competitive and still trying to beat Daniel [Romanchuk, the American competitor who finished fourth] and he’s 20 years younger than me.
‘I could be his dad, so I’m doing alright. I gave it my all today and that’s all I can give.
‘I knew before I came to Paris and I’ve been thinking about it all week. It’s the decision I want to do. It’s the right decision.
‘We don’t have marathons at Worlds any more. That’s the event I want to do. I don’t want to race on track any more.’