British star upgraded to Paralympics bronze after gold medal winner disqualified and banned from second event
BRIT sprinter Zac Shaw will leave Paris 2024 with a medal after a rival was DISQUALIFIED from the T12 100m.
Shaw initially finished the race in fourth place, with Turkey‘s Serkan Yildirim, USA‘s Noah Malone and Brazil‘s Joeferson Marinho de Oliveira taking home the gold, silver and bronze medals respectively.
But the retrospective disqualification of race winner Yildirim due to the discovery of his ineligibility to compete has seen ParalympicsGB star Shaw bumped up to the bronze medal position.
A World Para Athletics statement read: “On the morning of 30 August, World Para Athletics (WPA) was notified of a without notice interim injunction issued by a single judge in the Bonn regional court, requiring the NPC Turkey athlete, Mr Serkan Yildirim, to be entered into the Para-athletics men’s 100m T12 and 400m T12 medal events at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
“WPA was not provided with notice of the proceedings, or any opportunity to participate in them.
“Under both the WPA classification rules and the WPA qualification regulations for Paris 2024 an athlete with a Sport Class Status ‘Review’, such as Mr Yildirim, is not eligible to compete.
“Solely in order to comply with the court order, WPA permitted Mr Yildirim to compete in the men’s 100m T12 event, pending the outcome of WPA’s appeal against the injunction.
“WPA has now successfully appealed the injunction and the injunction has been lifted by the court with immediate effect.
“The results of Mr Yildirim in the men’s 100m T12 medal event have been disqualified, with all resulting consequences.
“The medals from the men’s 100m T12 medal event will be reallocated.
“WPA appreciates the patience”WPA appreciates the patience and professionalism shown by the other teams and athletes affected by these proceedings.
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Channel 4's Paralympics Line-Up
Channel 4 have a star-studded line-up of hosts and pundits for their coverage of the 2024 Paralympics
The presenting team is headed up by former Paralympian turned TV host Ade Adepitan.
Five-time Paralympic swimming champion Ellie Simmonds is making her debut with the broadcaster, alongside actress, producer and former Strictly winner Rose Ayling-Ellis.
Veteran sports broadcaster Clare Balding also appears on-screen, as does racing-driver-turned-commentator Billy Monger and Invictus Games medallist and presenter JJ Chalmers.
The line-up also includes adventurer and former rugby union player Ed Jackson, TV and radio presenter Vick Hope, comedian Josh Pugh and sports presenter Lee McKenzie.
There’s also an experienced team who are there to commentate, including in the athletics, the wheelchair rugby and the equestrian events.
Further expert analysis comes courtesy of multi-Paralympic medallist Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson and Paralympic gold-medal sprinter Libby Clegg.
“WPA is unable to provide further substantive comment at this point in time.”
Shaw, 28, has yet to react to the news, although ParalympicsGB fans were over the moon at his retrospective winning of bronze.
One said: “So well deserved! I hope he gets his moment on the podium!”
Another said: “What ! Wow! Amazing.”
And another said: “Congratulations @shawzac on winning a bronze medal so happy for you.”
One remarked: “Fantastic news Zac so happy for you.”
Another chimed in: “Wooooo @shawzac bringing home a medal fully deserved.”