Kenya staged a five-hour protest against Paralympics Games host Brazil who appealed against gold and bronze medals won by Samuel Kimani Mushai and Wilson Bii in the 5,000m T11 last Thursday.
Brazil had stated in their appeal to the International Paralympics Committee (IPC) that the two Kenyan athletes had arrived at the Olympic stadium late for the competition, but were still allowed in by officials.
They also said Mushai’s guide, James Boit, never held his hands up while crossing the finish line as required by the IPC rule.
The appeal further stated that Mushai never changed his guide even though it was apparent he was stronger than his partner in the race.
The appeal angered Kenyan officials who staged a five-hour protest at the IPC technical office, which eventually saw Kenya handed the medals.
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This was confirmed by National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) Chairman David Sankok who spearheaded the protest.
“First of all, if the athletes were late for the competition this was to be a Kenyan problem and a great advantage to Brazil since our athletes had no time to warm up properly ahead of the race,” noted Sankok.
“This also applies to Mushai’s guide. His tiredness on the pitch was a Kenyan problem and another great advantage to the hosts,” Sankok noted.
Mushai had breezed to the tape to win the race in 15:16.11 beating Brazil’s Santos Odair who bagged silver in 15:17.55 while third place was won by Bii in 15:22.96.
Meanwhile, Nancy Chelagat failed to go past the heats in the women’s 200m T11 category. She was the last in the round one heat won by Terezinha Guilhermina of Brazil in 25.07.
But Chelagat, managed to set a personal best in the race in 29.88 same as to Sol Rojas of Venezuela who did a personal best in 25.81.
