Trouble at the Paralympics

Cell phone forgotten – athlete is stripped of medal

Upset at the Paralympics in Paris: Italian Giacomo Perini loses his medal.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

How annoying! The Italian rower Giacomo Perini was stripped of his bronze medal at the Paralympics because he left his cell phone in the boat. The federation is now lodging a protest.

This has probably never happened before. Perini had originally come third in the Vaires-sur-Marne Stadium, and the 28-year-old was overjoyed. But then this! During the inspection of his boat, a communication device, apparently a cell phone, was found.

The result: Perini was disqualified and lost his bronze medal. The regulations state that it is strictly forbidden to carry such devices, even if they are not in use.

Australian inherits bronze
Nevertheless, the Italians are now lodging a protest. They simply forgot to remove the cell phone, according to a statement. However, the protest has little chance of success. Australian rower Erik Horrie, on the other hand, can be happy as he inherits the bronze medal.