Why was Iranian athlete Sadegh Beit Sayah disqualified from Paris Paralympics 2024?

Sadegh Beit Sayah seemingly won gold medal in men’s javelin throw F41 event.

In a dramatic turn of events at the Paris Paralympics 2024, Iranian javelin thrower Sadegh Beit Sayah was disqualified after initially winning gold in the men’s javelin throw F41 event. This decision resulted in India’s Navdeep Singh being upgraded from silver to gold, marking India’s first-ever gold medal in this category.

The competition, held on Saturday, September 7, saw Navdeep Singh throw a personal best of 47.32 meters, briefly holding the Paralympic record. However, Beit Sayah surpassed this with a throw of 47.64 meters, seemingly securing the gold medal. The celebration was short-lived as officials later announced Beit Sayah’s disqualification, citing a violation of the International Paralympic Committee’s code of conduct.

This unexpected turn of events changed the medal standings. Navdeep Singh, who had narrowly missed a medal at the Tokyo Paralympics three years ago, now finds himself atop the podium in Paris.

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Why was he disqualified?

The disqualification of Sadegh Beit Sayah stems from an alleged violation of Rule 8.1 of the International Paralympic Committee’s code of conduct. This rule emphasizes “unsporting or improper conduct” during competitions.

While specific details of the incident remain unclear, reports have suggested that that Beit Sayah was seen with a black flag, which may have been interpreted as a form of improper conduct or unsportsmanlike behavior. The exact nature of this action and how it violated the code of conduct has not been fully disclosed by officials.

Rule 8.1 is designed to ensure that all athletes participate in a fair and sportsmanlike manner. It gives referees the authority to warn or disqualify athletes who engage in behavior that goes against the spirit of fair competition. This can include actions that are seen as unsporting, improper, or providing unfair advantages.

Iran have now officially appealed the disqualification, and a final decision is awaited.

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