Elena Congost Disqualified From Marathon Bronze

Spanish visually impaired marathon runner Elena Congost was disqualified and denied a bronze medal at the Paralympics after briefly letting go of the tether connecting her to her guide, Mia Carol Bruguera, who stumbled due to cramps just meters from the finish line. Congost, who won the marathon at the Rio 2016 Paralympics, was devastated by the ruling, which was in accordance with the T12 regulations that mandate athletes must remain tethered to their guides throughout the race. Japan’s Misato Michishita was elevated to the bronze medal position. Congost expressed that her actions were instinctive and aimed at helping her guide, emphasizing that she was not disqualified for cheating. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation of the strict enforcement of the rule, with many sympathizing with Congost's situation. Fatima El Idrissi of Morocco set a world record to win the gold, with Meryem En-Nourhi taking silver.