A Paralympian has been disqualified after officials discovered that he was using a banned device during the event.
Italian rower Giacomo Perini was stripped of his bronze medal after being found in violation of competition rules.
Perini, 28, initially secured third place in the PR1 Men's Single Sculls event, which is designated for athletes who row using only their arms and shoulders.
But his celebration was cut short when World Rowing announced his disqualification later that day.
“In the final of the PR1 Men’s Singles, the Italian athlete was found to be using communications equipment during the race, in violation of rule 28 and Appendix R2, Bye-Law of rule 28,” read a statement from World Rowing, via the Independent.
In short, it was found that Perini had a cell phone in his boat, something that he claimed was accidental.
Defending himself, Perini stated that the phone had been left in a small bag on the boat along with a water bottle.
He disagreed with the implication that he had violated the rules, arguing that simply having the phone on board did not constitute a breach.
“They didn’t ‘find’ me simply because I never used the mobile phone on the boat,” Perini told ANSA.
“I gave the phone to the jury so that they could see that the last call was from the night before, with the psychologist. The rules do not say that you cannot bring the phone, but that you cannot communicate.”
The Italian Rowing Federation filed an appeal, which was subsequently rejected.
The federation has indicated that they are preparing to take their appeal to the World Rowing Executive Board.
As a result of Perini’s disqualification, Australia’s Erik Horrie was promoted to third place. Britain’s Benjamin Pritchard secured the gold medal, while Ukraine’s Roman Polianskyi took silver.
Horrie, speaking to Nine after the event, said: "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. 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."
