Athletics: Paralympian Mariia Pomazan refuses to attend rearranged medal ceremony after scoring blunder sees her stripped of gold

 

Pa
Monday 03 September 2012 10:37 EDT
Comments
Mariia Pomazan with the gold medal at the original ceremony
Mariia Pomazan with the gold medal at the original ceremony (GETTY IMAGES)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Ukrainian athlete who was ordered to give back her discus gold medal because of a scoring blunder did not turn up to the rearranged ceremony at the Olympic Stadium this morning.

Mariia Pomazan stayed away in apparent protest as the gold she had been presented with on Friday was awarded to China's Wu Qing.

Pomazan was demoted to silver and the place on the podium reserved for the second-placed athlete remained empty.

The 23-year-old admitted yesterday she was "very, very angry" after losing her gold in the F35/36 class, with organisers announcing the wrong medals had been awarded. Points rather than distance determined the final standings in the combined-class event.

She revealed those feelings had been behind her shot put gold yesterday.

All three athletes who received medals on Friday were asked to return them, with an appeal by the Ukrainian National Paralympic Committee for the original result to stand rejected by the jury of appeal.

An International Paralympic Committee spokesman said: "Since Friday we have tried to investigate if an alternative could be found that suited all parties that was within the rules. This has not been possible."

Oscar Pistorius did turn up to receive his T44 200m silver medal.

The South African, who has apologised for the timing of his criticism of the running blades used by gold medallist Alan Fonteles Oliveira immediately after last night's race, was applauded on to the podium by the Brazilian.

Both athletes received a standing ovation from the crowd and they shook hands and shared a somewhat awkward embrace afterward.

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in