Maratona Clube de Portugal guaranteed this Monday that people in wheelchairs will be able to participate in future editions of the Lisbon Half Marathon, after being banned from Sunday’s race due to safety reasons.
In a statement, Marathon refers to a meeting with officials from the Lisbon Cerebral Paralysis Association (APCL) and Iron Brothers – Irmandade de Ferro, who disputed the fact that several people in wheelchairs were not allowed to cross the April 25 before the race. Bridge, when they captained the popular side.
According to the organizer of the race, it was explained at the meeting “that the restrictions were only due to security issues arising from the specificity of the deck of the 25 de Abril bridge, protecting the physical integrity of all participants” and openness to work with both institutions “so that a formula can be found in the next edition that guarantees security, [permita que] the test can count on your participation”.
Maratona guarantees to have apologized for the “incident involving some young people of the association” and recalls “being a pioneer in including athletes with disabilities in all its competitions.
“Unfortunately, communication problems, some lack of sensitivity from those responsible on the ground and the safety issues already mentioned contributed to an incident that should never have happened”indicates the club, adding that “the competition will be strengthened by the contribution and joint work” that will be developed with the associations and other authorities participating in the organization of the competition.
The meeting came after the APCL denounced that a group of people in wheelchairs were not allowed to participate in the race, “arguing that the regulations do not allow the participation of people in wheelchairs”.
Also in a statement, Marathon recalled that “the non-participation of competitors in wheelchairs, highchairs and other equipment in this Sunday’s competitions is solely due to safety concerns and due to serious incidents that occurred during previous editions”.
Ethiopians Nibret Melak and Almaz Ayana were the winners, among the elite, of the 32nd edition of the Lisbon Half Marathon, which on Sunday counted 11,158 finalists in the distance, 10 thousand in the 10-kilometer race and about 500 in the seven.
Source: DN
