The Spanish Paralympic Committee has awarded an exceptional scholarship, promised to medal-winning athletes at Paris 2024, to Elena Congost. Third in the marathon in category T12, she was disqualified for having let go of the rope which linked her to her guide a few strides from the finish line.
Elena Congost, deprived of the bronze medal at the Paris Paralympic Games, will receive the money promised by the Spanish committee. This decided to grant an extraordinary scholarship to the athlete, initially third in the marathon (category T12, reserved for visually impaired para-athletes) but ultimately disqualified for having let go of the rope which linked her to her guide a few strides from the finish line.
In recent days, Elena Congost's appeal to claim her medal was rejected by the International Paralympic Athletics Federation. However, thanks to this decision by the permanent commission of the Spanish Paralympic Committee (CPE), Congost will receive a sum similar to the prize promised for the bronze medal.
Go to court to recover the medal
The athlete and his guide, affected by a cramp as they approach the finish, will each receive 2,050 euros per month at least until the first quarter of 2025. The duo's coach will receive 900 euros per month. “I am very happy and grateful for the support and commitment of the CPE,” Congost reacted to Marca, who will continue his path in sport thanks to this money.
“This allows us to fight to be on the podium in Los Angeles in four years and to be able to demonstrate again what we already showed in Paris,” added Congost.
From now on, Elena Congost wishes to take this matter to court to recover her medal. “There was no fraud but assistance to a person potentially in danger,” defends the athlete’s lawyer, who offered his services free of charge after the disqualification.
