Robbed of Glory: Spanish Marathoner Elena Congost Challenges ‘Cruel’ Paris Disqualification that Cost Her Bronze

A poignant act of bravery defined a heart-wrenching moment at the Paralympic Games when Spain’s Elena Congost had her T12 marathon bronze medal snatched away from her.

Congost, who is visually impaired, made the selfless choice to slow down as her guide, Mia Carol Bruguera, stumbled and appeared close to collapsing just metres from the finish line in Paris.

In her effort to help her guide regain her footing, Congost was seen dropping the tether connecting them for a brief moment.

Despite the brief incident, the duo crossed the finish line together, under the impression they had clinched a bronze medal.

However, their joy was fleeting as Congost was left in tears due to disqualification, enforced by officials because she momentarily let go of the tether.

According to the World Para Athletic Rules and Regulations, both athletes and their accompanying guide runners must “maintain the tether attachment” for the entire race, with “no release” allowed until the end.

“I couldn’t believe what was happening,” Congost shared with CNN.

“I’ve put in so much effort, I fought hard and did my best. Many people have supported me, and they deserved to share that celebration alongside the medal.

“They disqualified me just 10 metres from the finish line because I let go of the rope for a moment.

“It was a reflex, a natural response to help someone falling beside you… nobody shoves me, nobody drops me, and the tether merely slipped while I was assisting him.

“We could have crossed the line walking. It feels so unjust.

“This regulation was implemented due to instances in the past where athletes crossed the finish line alone without their guides. However, this incident bore no relation to that reasoning.”

Congost has lodged an appeal against the ruling, which has cost her over $49,000 in potential prize money.

“This impacts my monthly salary,” she stated.

“Ultimately, this is my profession.

Thanks to pressure from the media, the Spanish Paralympic Committee (SPC) announced that they would provide me with funding as if I were a medallist, which has brought me some solace.”

In their statement, they also called upon World Athletics to “bestow the bronze medal” upon Congost and Carol.

However, until World Athletics reviews the appeal, Congost is prohibited from receiving the SPC’s support.

“I have several months without potential earnings, I have to wait,” Congost shared.

“The SPC has assured me that they will compensate me retroactively. However, I must wait, and I am without any financial support.”

Congost expressed that Misato Michishita, who was awarded the bronze, did not deserve the victory, as her disqualification contradicted the spirit of the Games.

“The fundamental values conveyed by the Games are paramount,” Congost emphasised.

“Most children who participate in sports will never reach the Olympic level or win medals, yet sport instills vital values that are integral to their development.

“(Michishita) has reached out to me on Instagram expressing her desire to run alongside me. I took that opportunity to convey my thoughts politely and respectfully.

“I told her that the decision made by the Japanese team was unkind. It’s a marathon; I completed 42.19 kilometres immaculately and still had a three-minute lead.

“What I did didn’t change the outcome, didn’t benefit me, nor did it disrupt anyone else.

“I requested a public apology; even a return of the medal would suffice. She knows, I know, and everyone is aware that this medal doesn’t rightfully belong to them. It belongs to us.”

Congost previously secured gold in the event at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio but did not defend her title in Tokyo, having just welcomed her fourth child.

She shared that her racing strategy was inspired by her children, who were deprived the chance to witness their mother win a Paralympic medal.

“They missed the joyous part of the celebration, only to see me in tears,” Congost reflected.

“The moment on the podium was stolen from us by them. That’s something we can never reclaim.

“My coach has promised that if the medal is ever awarded to us, we will travel back to Paris, to the Eiffel Tower, and take a picture with it.”

“My eldest, who is six, couldn’t comprehend why I was punished for helping someone,” she recounted.

“As a mother, I always instil the importance of lending a hand to those in need.

“I had to clarify that injustices exist in the world, and that sometimes, doing the right thing doesn’t guarantee recognition. I’m unsure if they fully grasped that.”

The Japanese Paralympic Committee informed CNN that the results of the race were “in accordance with World Para Athletics’ rules and regulations”.

No additional comments were provided by the Committee or Michishita regarding the situation.