Tears for Spanish athlete

Outrage after disqualification of blind runner

Shortly before the finish line, Elena Congost's guide Carlos Bruguera suffered cramps.(Bild: AP/ASSOCIATED PRESS)

There was a lot of commotion in Paris when Spanish runner Elena Congost was subsequently disqualified from the Paralympics marathon on Sunday. Because she rushed to help her guide out of reflex, the blind athlete was stripped of her bronze medal.

Congost finished a long way behind the fourth-placed runner in third place, always connected to her guide Carlos Bruguera by an elastic band.

Although the rules state that you are not allowed to let go of the band under any circumstances, when Bruguera started to cramp just before the finish line, Congost did so anyway and grabbed her helper.

Shortly before the finish line, Elena Congost's guide Carlos Bruguera suffered cramps.(Bild: AP/ASSOCIATED PRESS)

A brief moment was enough to disqualify the Spaniard, from one second to the next the medal was gone ...

"It was a reflex"
"It was a reflex that arose out of concern for my guide," the 36-year-old defended herself in tears - but to no avail. The disqualification was unfair, Congost deserved her success, according to the general tenor on the net.

However, the decision is final and the runner leaves Paris without a bronze medal around her neck ...