The Marathona Clube de Portugal today ensured that wheelchair users could compete in future editions of the Lisbon Half Marathon after they were excluded from the race on Sunday due to safety concerns.
Marathon said in a statement it was meeting today with officials from the Cerebral Palsy Association of Lisbon (APCL) and Iron Brothers – Irmandade de Ferro, who disputed the fact that several people in wheelchairs were not allowed to cross the road ahead of the race on the 25th. April Bridge, when they were at the head of the people’s squad.
According to the organizer of the race, it was clarified at the meeting that “the restrictions were only related to security issues arising from the specifics of the April 25 bridge deck, ensuring the physical integrity of all participants” and openness to work. together with both institutions, “so that in the next edition a formula will be found which, while guaranteeing security, [permita que] the test may count on your participation.”
Marathona guarantees that he has apologized for “an incident that involved some young people from the Association”, and recalls that he was “a trailblazer in bringing athletes with disabilities to all of his competitions”.
“Unfortunately, communication problems, some inattention on the part of those responsible and the already mentioned security issues led to an incident that should never have happened,” the club points out, adding that “competition will be intensified.” contribution and collaboration”, which will be developed with associations and other bodies involved in the organization of the race.
The meeting took place after the APCL denounced that a group of people in wheelchairs were not allowed to race, “under the pretext that the rules do not allow people in wheelchairs to participate.”
Also in a statement, Marathon recalled that “the non-participation of participants in wheelchairs, high chairs and other equipment in this Sunday’s competition is solely due to safety concerns and as a result of serious incidents that have occurred in previous competitions.”
Ethiopians Nibret Melak and Almaz Ayana were the winners among the elite of the 32nd Lisbon Half Marathon, which on Sunday featured 11,158 finalists in the distance, 10,000 in the 10k race and about 500 in the course of Seven.