Wheelchairs are prohibited at the Lisbon Half Marathon. After complaints there is an explanation

Maratona Clube de Portugal, the organizer of the Lisbon Half Marathon, released a statement explaining the “non-participation of participants in wheelchairs, high chairs and other equipment in the competition” this Sunday following complaints from the Lisbon Cerebral Palsy Association that saw its associates unable to participate.

On Instagram, the Iron Brothers Triathlon page speaks of a “blatant violation of the principle of equality.” “It is shameful discrimination against people with disabilities when they advertise the test as inclusive,” it says. “We hope that the partners in the race do not see themselves in this attitude and take the necessary measures.”

About what happened, said the man who was with the participants of the association. “We arrived at the bridge at 8:30 am where we stopped next to a bus that was ‘offloading’ people who were going to participate in all aspects of the race… We couldn’t ‘offload’ and were told that we had to do it after the payment. for travel. We started to take Pedro out when the race director arrived and said: “There can’t be chairs made of roses.” How so?” Elsa Fariña asks on social media.

“We found a PSP agent and explained the situation. “But if they’re registered and have their back, they can participate…” That’s what we ended up doing. The bridge has not been crossed because the organization believes wheelchairs are an accessory. (maybe), but we walked the next kilometers. And if the organization can only say that they were a disgrace, I can only praise the various public security police agents we met along the way. Many thanks to all of them. And yes, of course, a proper complaint will be filed,” Elsa Fariña assured.

Maratona Clube de Portugal, the organizer of the race, explained in a statement that the ban was due to safety issues confirmed in previous editions. “Responsible for the safety of each of the thousands of participants in the events it organizes, Maratona Clube de Portugal hereby emphasizes that the non-participation of participants in wheelchairs, high chairs and other equipment in Sunday events is solely due to safety. issues and as a result of serious incidents that have occurred in previous releases. These rules were communicated in the competition regulations and at the Sport Expo, which we regret if they were not clear enough.”

And he continues: “We remember that as event organizers we were pioneers in inclusion and that between 1998 and 2018 we organized in Lisbon, along with the half marathon, 20 editions of events for people with disabilities in wheelchairs from semi-professional athletes from all over the world. However, we are the first to regret the inconvenience caused to the participants who were denied participation today. We have already contacted the Associação de Paralisia Cerebral de Lisboa and have demonstrated our willingness to work together to look for we can count on the participation of its staff, ensuring the safety of all participants.”