Visually impaired Aussie runner ‘shattered’ after Paralympic disqualification

Paris: Australian runner Jaryd Clifford had his bronze medal stripped on Saturday after a shock disqualification in the men’s 5000m final (T13) at the Paralympics due to an issue with his guide who ran beside him.

Rules state that Clifford, who has a vision impairment, must run beside a guide and stay attached via a running tether that both hold onto.

After leading the race at various points, Clifford crossed the line in third place but within minutes learned that he’d been disqualified. Clifford appeared to let go of the tether that his guide Matthew Clarke had in his hand. Although it did not appear to give the Australian an advantage, his result did not stand.

Athletics Australia considered protesting but were told they were not able to given it was a clear breach of rules.

“This will be even more shattering to not win a medal,” Clifford told reporters before learning that Australia did not have grounds for an appeal. “I’m a bit numb right now to be honest. I’m not just shattered for me, I’m shattered for [my guides] too. They’ll feel that result harder than I will to be honest.

“I can’t see how they DQ’d us but I’m sure there’s a reason, which makes me nervous.

Jaryd Clifford and guide Matthew Clarke during the 5000m final (T13) on Saturday in Paris. Credit: Getty Images

“Pretty shattered, to be honest, if I’m pretty frank about it. We went in with the aim of winning gold.

“I went and saw Mum and Dad and my girlfriend and broke down. I had my grieving moment.

After the disqualification was confirmed, Clifford posted a statement on X.

“I’m absolutely gutted that we made such a critical mistake today,” he wrote. “Remaining tethered is a fundamental rule of guiding and I’m shattered that I lost my mind in those finals metres. I’ve got so much more to give. I promise to bring everything for the 1500m on Tuesday.”

Australian Olympian and Channel Nine commentator David Culbert said on the broadcast it looked like a clear breach of the rules.

“You’ve got to hold the tether all the way through to the line and it’s pretty clear it’s not in the hands of both athletes,” Culbert said. “In fact, it looks like Jaryd’s let it go just before the line there.”

Meanwhile, Australian runner Michael Roeger said he was satisfied with a silver medal in a thrilling men’s 1500m final (T46), two years after almost dying following a training run.

Roeger registered his best result from five Paralympic Games but had gold in his sights with a lap to go.

The Canberra local went out hard and blitzed the field to open up a 50-metre gap but couldn’t hang on in the last few metres as Russian Alexsandr Iaremchuk, competing for the Neutral Paralympic Athletes team, claimed gold by less than a second.

Roeger, who has a right arm limb deficiency, finished eighth in 2008 and took bronze in 2016 before using the energy of a big crowd at the Stade de France to get to the front.

Michael Roeger celebrates his silver medal. Credit: Getty Images

The 36-year-old had specialised in the marathon but it was taken off the Paris Paralympics program in his category, leaving him with no choice but to take on the shorter distance.

“You always want more when you come second,” Roeger said. “I executed the race plan. That last 50 meters was tough. Thankfully, I did enough early. The dream is still there to stand on top of that podium. Second’s tough but I’m bloody proud.

“Now I know what it’s like to play on the MCG. That crowd was amazing.”

It hasn’t been an easy road to Paris for Roeger, who collapsed after a run in Canberra in May 2022 and was taken to hospital with a gastrointestinal bleed.

Roeger couldn’t run for six months. Seeing his twin brother in the crowd after his silver medal was an emotional moment for the family.

“He was in tears, mate,” said Roeger of his brother Chris. “That’s what it’s about. The sun comes up tomorrow. I want to go for a run tomorrow and I’ll be happy. It’s not the end of the world if I come second in the world. I’m proud. It’s my fifth Games and I’m still getting better. Who would have thought, 36 years old standing here in front of you guys?

“I saw my boss, Kieren Perkins, in the crowd and jeez, how cool is that? He’s a legend.”

Roeger has had long hair for years but cut it all off in the village and dyed it peroxide blond to hopefully shave a few seconds off his time on the track.

He said someone in the village thought he looked like former AFL star Jason Akermanis.

“I was walking around the village and no one really recognised me the last few days,” he said.

Roeger also paid tribute to his coaches, partner and the Langhorne Creek Football Club.

“I wouldn’t be here today without them,” he said. “They’ve been supporting me since I was this big. They didn’t care that I had one arm. They didn’t care who I was. I was just like the bloke next door in the paddock and they took me in as a footy club.”

Madison de Rozario also took a bronze in the women’s 5000m final (T54).

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