Italian Rower Disqualified from Paralympics After Phone Found in Boat

Giacomo Perini, a Paralympic rower, was disqualified from the men’s single sculls final after a cell phone was discovered in his boat. Despite celebrating his bronze medal victory, the presence of the phone led to the revocation of his medal. Perini claimed that the phone was left there by accident and did not assist him during the race, as evidenced by the last call being made the night before. However, World Rowing maintained that the mere presence of the phone constituted a violation of their rules. The rules explicitly prohibit the use of communication devices during competitions, and even the suspicion of impropriety can result in disqualification. Perini's appeals, including one from the Italian Rowing Federation, were ultimately denied by World Rowing, which upheld the disqualification decision. This ruling emphasized the strict adherence to regulations in competitive rowing, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the incident. As a result of the disqualification, Perini's bronze medal was awarded to Erik Horrie of Australia, who had originally finished in fourth place. The decision sparked discussions about the fairness of strict regulations and the implications for athletes who may inadvertently violate rules. The case highlights the importance of compliance with competition regulations and the potential consequences of even minor infractions. It serves as a reminder to athletes to be vigilant about their equipment and surroundings during competitions to avoid similar situations in the future.