Paralympic Sprinter Denied Bronze Medal: Officials disqualified an Australian Paralympian runner from a long-distance event when he dropped his seeing-eye guiding cable. According to Paralympics Australia, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) ruled that visually impaired distance runner Jaryd Clifford was not tethered correctly to his guide Matt Clarke as he crossed the finish line during the T13 5000m at the 2024 Paralympics on Saturday, Aug. 31. Clifford, 25, ran the marathon in 16:12.45, the third quickest time, but authorities stated he let go before the finish.
Jaryd requires guides to run these distances competitively, but it increases the margin for mistake, as seen today “Paralympics Australia received a statement from the Australian athletics team management. His 1500m performance is on his itinerary, and we know he will put all his energy and disappointment into it.
Spain’s Yassine Ouhdadi El Ataby and Russia’s Aleksandr Kostin, participating under Neutral Paralympic Athletes, won gold and silver.
Clifford, the only runner to utilize a guide, expressed his dissatisfaction shortly after the race.
According to Yahoo Sports, Clifford broke down after seeing his parents and girlfriend. The trackside was where I cried. I grieved about results. While on the track, I felt numb and still do. To be honest, we went in for gold, so I’m devastated.
Clifford has Best disease, a rare genetic visual impairment, and has competed with and without assistance, according to Nine. When I have a guide it means I can focus on the running,” Clifford told the newspaper. “I don’t have to think about tactics, laps, or people around me. It lets me go all out on a hard move for home without worrying about saving visual energy for the last lap to get around.”
He said on Instagram on Aug. 31 that he was “devastated” by the “critical mistake” that disqualified him from the tournament. I’m devastated that I lost my wits in those final meters “Guiding requires staying linked. “I felt fantastic, had more to contribute, and will give my all in the 1500m on Tuesday.
Clifford had Clarke and Tim Logan as guides. After 2,000 meters with Logan, Paralympics Australia said Clarke took over to keep him going for the final 3,000 meters. I want guidance, not a need. Clifford told Nine that positives generally outweigh negatives. “Today on the last lap was probably a day where the guiding was a con. His Instagram message praised his two guides for their help.
I have a terrific team and feel very loved “Clifford wrote. “Sport can be brutal, but the hard times make the good times amazing. I’m pleased to have worn the Australian singlet with my best friends @timlogann and @mattiiclarke.
Clifford won two silver and one bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Games, according to his Paralympics page. He developed a stress fracture in his left femur after those games and planned to return in this race.
He’s looking forward to Sept. 3’s race after Saturday’s disappointment.
“Whatever happens I feel like it’s my fourth Paralympic medal anyway and I’m still chasing a gold,” he told Yahoo Sports. “I hope I can shake it off before Tuesday.
FAQs On Paralympic Sprinter Denied Bronze Medal
Q1. Why was Clifford disqualified?
A. Jaryd Clifford, a visually impaired distance runner, would have won the bronze medal in the T13 5000m for vision-impaired athletes at the 2024 Paralympics on Saturday, Aug. 31, but the IPC ruled that he was not attached to his guide Matt Clarke.
Q2. Do paralympic guides get medals?
A. In numerous sports, Paralympic guides also compete and win medals. For good reason.
Q3. Why are paralympic runners blindfolded?
A. Why are some Paralympic runners blindfolded? To maintain fairness, several Paralympic track athletes wear blindfolds. This is because visual impairment varies each athlete, and even partial vision might provide competitors an advantage.
