Sports

Paralympics Heartbreak as Canada's Diane Roy Forced to Hand Back Gold after Mass Pile Up

by Christina 123 | September 8, 2008 at 02:58 pm

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After a sensational Women's 5,000 metres in which Diane Roy of Canada grabbed Gold, heartbreak came as Roy was forced to hand back the coveted medal presented to her. Not Diane Roy's fault - there was a mass pile-up part way through the race, as one competitor toppled over causing six others to also land in a heap. Just as the race passed the final lap, a bumbling official casually crossed the track in front of the on coming wheelchairs! It was lucky he was not run over, although some uncharitable souls would say he deserved to be.

[q url="http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/08/content_9864351.htm"]

BEIJING, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The result of the women's 5000m T54 race of the Beijing Paralympics was withdrawn and a re-run was ordered after the race was marred by a crash, organizers said on Monday.

Switzerland's Hunkeler Edith was disqualified and the Jury of

Appeal has ordered the re-run of the race to be held on Sept. 12, according to a brief statement on the Beijing Paralympic website.

But the statement did not give further details.

An official from the organization committee said the Jury of Appeal made the decision after some competitors filed appeal.

The crash of athlete's wheelchairs in Monday's women's 5000m race led to the injury of three athletes.

Only five out of the 11 competitors finished the race. Diane Roy of Canada ended first.[/q]

BEIJING - Canada's Valerie Grand'Maison shattered her world record in the women's 400-metre freestyle for the visually impaired Monday en route to capturing her second gold medal at the Paralympics.
On a mixed day for Canada at the Games, there was heartbreak for Diane Roy of Hatley, Que., who was forced to return her gold medal in the women's 5,000 metres after the International Paralympic Committee ordered a re-run of the race that was marred by a dramatic crash.
The 19-year-old Grand'Maison, from Longueuil, Que., won gold in four minutes 28.64 seconds to lower her previous world mark of 4:32.51 she swam at the Beijing Paralympic trials in April. Chelsey Gotell of Hamilton won the bronze.
"I couldn't be happier," said Grand'Maison, who's making her Paralympic debut in Beijing. "This pool is perfect and the atmosphere is electric. It is so exciting to race here."
Stephanie Dixon of Victoria added a bronze in the women's 100 freestyle at the Water Cube in a Canadian-record time of 1:03.89.