The Italian rower Giacomo Perini actually won bronze in the PR1 Men’s Single Sculls category at the Paralympics. But his own cell phone cost the Italian his medal. The background: an illegal communication device was found in his boat: his cell phone.
Now the Italian Federation is planning to file a complaint against the disqualification, arguing that Perini had simply forgotten his cell phone in the boat. “The Federation will file an official complaint and present the records of Perini’s phone, which is solely responsible for it being forgotten on the boat,” the Italians said.
Why are communication devices prohibited? For example, you can use them to get tactical instructions from the coach. Advice from a person watching the race from outside the boat helps the rower to concentrate on his stroke, as he then does not have to turn around to see where his competitors are, for example.
Gold went to the Briton Benjamin Pritchard and silver to the Ukrainian Roman Polianskyi.
