Spanish marathon runner disqualified at Paris Paralympic Games to receive financial aid

Her story moved spectators at the Paris Paralympic Games: on September 8, Elena Congost crossed the finish line of the marathon reserved for visually impaired athletes (T12) supporting her guide, crippled with cramps. But the Spaniard, third in the event, had been disqualified: in wanting to prevent her guide from falling, she had released the link that united them, which is prohibited by the regulations. The bronze medal was ultimately awarded to the Japanese Misato Michishita, who finished the race more than three minutes after the Rio 2016 Paralympic champion.

In the absence of a medal, Elena Congost will receive financial assistance from the Spanish Paralympic Committee, it said in a press release on Friday November 8. This grant of 2,050 euros per month, allocated to both the athlete and her guide – her coach will receive 900 euros – corresponds to the sum that would have been granted to her, each month, as part of a support plan of the country’s Paralympic athletes if she had reached the podium in Paris. The 37-year-old Madrilenian will benefit from it until the approval of the next support plan, during the first months of 2025.

At the end of October, the Spanish Paralympic Committee’s request to grant a second bronze medal to the runner – without removing Misato Michishita’s -, pleading assistance to a person in danger, was rejected by the federation international para athletics. The Spanish committee then reiterated its support for the athlete, who could turn to legal action.