Marathoner Stripped of Paralympic Medal After Helping Her Guide Who Cramped at Finish Line: ‘Devastated’

Mar. 15, 2025

Spain’s Elena Congost, right, arrives in third position in the women’s marathon T12 at the 2024 Paralympics, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024.Photo:Thibault Camus/AP

Thibault Camus/AP

Marathoner Elena Congost is “devastated” after she was stripped of her medal at the2024 Paralympics.

According to multiple reports, including theNew York Timesand theIndependent,Carol suffered a cramp at the end of the race, which led Congost to let go of the rope in an attempt to help her guide.

After she learned of her disqualification, Congost was in tears, and the medal was awarded to Misato Michishita of Japan.

Congost spoke toMarcaafter the race, telling the outlet she is “devastated.”

“I’m devastated, to be honest, because I had the medal,” said Congost, adding, “It was a reflex act of any human, to hold on to a person who is falling next to you.”

Elena Congost of Team Spain with her guide Mia Carol Bruguera.Andy Lyons/Getty

Andy Lyons/Getty

Congost told Marca, “But they say that I have let go of the rope for a second and since I have let it go, that’s it, there is no turning back. I don’t understand that.”

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“It’s not for cheating, it’s not for dragging down an athlete. I am left with nothing. I can’t find any explanation for it and it seems so unfair and so surreal, really," Congost concluded.

Fatima El Idrissi of Morocco won gold in the race and set a world record in the process, while Meryem En-Nourhi, also of Morocco, took silver.

source: people.com