Paralympics cheating row explodes as athlete axed from race for 'banned device' (2024)

Erik Horrie benefitted from the cheating row as he was bumped up to third. (Image: Getty)

A cheating row at this summer’s Paralympic games in Paris has erupted with one athlete stripped of his medal.

Italian Giacomo Perini was disqualified from the final of the PR1 single sculls, with Australian Erik Horrie bumped up into the bronze medal position.

Horrie joined Team GB’s Benjamin Pritchard and Ukrainian Roman Polianskyi on the podium, but it wasn’t without controversy at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium in the French capital.

It’s claimed the Italian athlete was disqualified for using a communication device during the race, which is said to have been a mobile phone - something outlawed across the board at both the Paralympic and Olympic Games.

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Race officials verified a device had been found and was used, with it then announced Perini had been booted out of the medal standings shortly after.

An investigation has been launched by officials in Paris, with a statement released by World Rowing reading: “In the final of the PR1 M1x, the ITA PR1 MRX was found to be using communications equipment during the race, in breach of Rule 28 and Appendix R2, Bye-Law to Rule 28.

“As a result, the crew has been excluded from the event and will be ranked last.”

Italy's rowing authority were next to chime in, claiming the rower had forgotten his phone had been left in the boat prior to the race starting.

The governing body commented via an Instagram post: “After a historic and highly competitive competition, ending with an exciting third place and a bronze medal, while everyone was celebrating the achievement, the Jury was excluded from the Paralympic podium of the PR1 single for this reason: ‘In the final Men's singles PR1, the Italian athlete was found using communication equipment during the race, in violation of rule 28 and Appendix R2, Bye-Law of rule 28. Consequently, the crew was excluded from the event and is classified last.’”

They continued: “The Federation is proceeding with an official claim, providing the records of Perini's phone, who is solely responsible for having forgotten it on the boat. We will shortly provide news of the outcome of the appeal."

Whether it was a clumsy error or a legitimate ploy remains to be seen, but Horrie, the beneficiary from the scandal, insisted the rules are there to be followed.

Giacomo Perini was the athlete disqualified from the race. (Image: Getty)

On the error, the Aussie told native broadcaster Channel Nine: “There was a situation that happened. World Rowing and Paralympics officials saw it and then made the decision [to disqualify Perini] and I was lucky enough to come away with the bronze.

"That's all I can say really. It's the joys of sport. There are rules, and as athletes, we stick to them.”