IPC statement on women's 12.5km biathlon standing

The International Paralympic Committe has issued a statement about the women's 12.5km biathlon standing race from Friday (14 March). 14 Mar 2014
Imagen
Agitos at  Laura Cross-Country Ski and Biathlon Centre

The Paralympic Agitos sit on display at the Laura Cross-Country Ski and Biathlon Centre at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.

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By IPC

The protest was rejected by the jury as they felt that they had taken the best decision available to avoid invalidating the overall race results

An IPC Spokesperson said:

During the women's 12.5km biathlon standing race on Friday (14 March) it was discovered during the first lap that the course had been incorrectly marked (subsequent to course inspection by the jury).

As a result, all athletes skied a longer first loop except Japan's Momoko Dekijima who skied the shorter loop.

The course marking was corrected during the first lap.

In order to preserve the race and ensure all athletes completed the same distance, Dekijima was directed by the jury to complete one lap of the longer course on her final lap. This way she skied the same final distance as the other athletes.

Following the race, the Japanese team registered a protest against the unofficial results. The protest was rejected by the jury as they felt that they had taken the best decision available to avoid invalidating the overall race results