Paralympic cheating saga sees Aussie rower elevated to bronze medal
Australia has picked up another Paralympic medal at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium with Erik Horrie elevated to bronze in the final of the men's PR1 single sculls after a rival was found cheating.
Horrie finished fourth in the final but was awarded the bronze after Italian Giacomo Perini was disqualified.
At his fourth Paralympic Games, Horrie joined Great Britain's Benjamin Pritchard and Ukrainian Roman Polianskyi on the podium.
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Great Britain's Benjamin Pritchard (centre) with his gold medal alongside Ukraine's Roman Polianskyi (left) and Australia's Erik Horrie on the podium at Paris 2024. Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images
It is understood Perini was disqualified after he was found to be using a communication device, which may have been a mobile phone or a walky-talky.
Once race officials verified the device in an investigation, Perini was excluded from the event and ranked last, and Horrie was promoted to the podium.
Using communications equipment during a race is a breach of the rules, Paris 2024 officials confirmed in a statement.
Speaking to Nine after receiving his medal, Horrie explained the incident.
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"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," he said.
"That's all I can say really. It's the joys of sport. There are rules, and as athletes, we stick to them.
"I'm just excited about getting the bronze. I'm at my fourth Games and I can say that I've medalled at every single Paralympics that I've been to."
Horrie could not have been more pleased to add a bronze medal to his three silvers from London, Rio and Tokyo.
"Mate, this means so much," he said.
"All the sacrifices my family have made [and] putting up with me in the good times and the bad times. As with all athletes, there are a lot of bad times with training and injury.
"So, this is for [my wife] Michelle and the kids back home.
"It's one of those things that's hard to explain."
Earlier, Australia won its first-ever Paralympic gold medal in rowing with duo Jed Altschwager and Nikki Ayers crossing the line first in the final of the PR3 mixed double sculls.
Asked if his long-term success had anything to do with the feat, Horrie took none of the credit.
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"They are unbelievable athletes. It's nothing that I've done," he said.
"I'm just an old man sitting in the single sculls going backwards.
"Nicky and Jed are unbelievable, they are great athletes, and I take my hat off to them. It's great."
