Paralympic Games: Cheating row erupts as Italian is caught using a mystery device during rowing final

Australia has added another medal to its Paralympic haul after Erik Horrie controversially won bronze in Paris.

Australian rower Horrie finished fourth in the men’s PR1 single sculls final but was still awarded bronze after a rival was caught cheating.

Italian Giacomo Perini was disqualified after officials ruled that he had used an unknown means of communication, such as a telephone or walkie-talkie, during the race.

Italian officials later confirmed that Perini had forgotten to remove his phone from the boat before the race.

After the race management confirmed after investigation that a device was present, Perrie was classified last, while Horrie benefited from the disqualification.

“Something happened,” Horrie explained to Nine.

‘The World Rowing and Paralympics officials saw it and then made a decision [to disqualify Perini] “And I was lucky enough to come home with bronze,” he said.

“That’s all I can say. It’s the joy of sports. There are rules and as athletes we abide by them.

“I’m just happy to have won bronze. I’m at my fourth Games and I can say that I’ve won a medal at every Paralympic Games I’ve been to.”

The Australian finished fourth in the men’s rowing final but was still promoted to bronze

Italian Giacomo Perini (pictured in 2022) used a mobile device during the race

Horrie, who won silver in London, Rio and Tokyo, was delighted to add a bronze medal to his collection.

“Man, this means so much to you,” he said.

All the sacrifices my family has made [and] dealing with me through the good times and the bad. As with all athletes there are many bad times with training and injuries.

So this is for [my wife] Michelle and the children at home.

“It’s one of those things that’s hard to explain.”

The Italian Rowing Federation issued a statement after the jury’s decision saying that Perini had forgotten that his phone was still in the boat.

The Federation said in a statement translated by Instagram: ‘After a historic and highly competitive competition, ending with a thrilling third place and a bronze medal, while everyone celebrated the achievement, the jury excluded the Paralympic podium of the PR1 singles for this reason: “In the final of the men’s singles PR1, the Italian athlete was found using communication equipment during the race, in breach of rule 28 and Appendix R2, Regulation of rule 28. Consequently, the team was excluded from the event and was classified last”.’

‘The Federation is making an official claim and providing Perini’s phone details. He is solely responsible for forgetting it on the boat.

‘We will announce the outcome of the appeal shortly.’