Paralympian Denied Medal After 'Critical Mistake' In Final Moments Of Race

Australian runner Jaryd Clifford said he’s “shattered” he was disqualified from the Paralympics men’s T13 5000-meter final for vision-impaired athletes after crossing the finish line in third place over the weekend.

“I’m absolutely devastated that we made such a critical mistake out there today,” Clifford wrote on Instagram. “Remaining tethered is a fundamental rule in guiding and I’m shattered that I lost my mind in those final metres.”

Clifford was denied the bronze medal after officials determined the tether, a small piece of rope binding Clifford to his guide Matt Clarke, was released just before they crossed the finish line.

The three-time Paralympic medalist was guided by Tim Logan for the first 2000 meters of the race and Clarke for the remainder.

The World Para Athletics rules and regulations stipulate that if “during a race their tether breaks then the athlete shall be disqualified.”

“Sport can be a cruel beast at times, but the tough times are what make the good times so great. Couldn’t be prouder to have worn the Australian singlet alongside my best mates,” Clifford wrote on Instagram, tagging his guides.

Speaking to reporters at Paris’ Stade de France after the race, Clifford explained that he doesn’t always use a guide, but when he does, “it means I can focus on the running.”

“I don’t have to worry about the tactics, [how many] laps to go, which people are around me. It means when I make a hard move for home I can go all out and not worry about saving some visual energy for that last lap to make sure I can just get around,” he said, according to Nine News.

Athletics Australia said in a statement that Clifford was “in really good shape, but there is always risks when you bring in other factors to