In a dramatic turn of events at the Paris Paralympic Games, Turkish para-athlete Serkan Yildirim, formerly known as Sajjad Hashemi of Iran, has been stripped of his gold medal in the 100 meters T12 event. The decision was made by the World Para Athletics (WPA), citing eligibility issues related to Yildirim’s classification status.
Yildirim, who previously competed for Iran under his birth name Sajjad Hashemi, represented the country at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics. He holds multiple Iranian records in the 200 and 400 meters, both individually and in relay events. However, after his last appearance for Iran in 2021, Yildirim gained Turkish citizenship, adopted a new name, and joined Turkey’s Para-Athletic team, competing in the T12 classification due to impaired eyesight.
At the age of 33, Yildirim made a remarkable debut in para-athletics, shattering the world record in the 100 meters T12 category with a time of 10.53 seconds at the World Para Athletics Championships in Tokyo earlier this year. He continued his impressive streak in Paris, clinching gold in the 100 meters T12 final on August 31.
BARRED FROM COMPETING IN THE 400M
However, the celebrations were short-lived. On September 4, the WPA announced that Yildirim had been disqualified from the event, leading to the reallocation of the medals. Additionally, Yildirim was barred from competing in the 400 meters T12, a second event in which he was slated to participate.
The controversy stems from a legal battle that unfolded just before the Games. On August 30, the WPA was informed of an interim injunction issued by a single judge in the Bonn regional court, allowing Yildirim to compete in Paris despite his classification status being under review. The WPA, which had no prior notice of the proceedings, contested the injunction, arguing that Yildirim was ineligible under its regulations.
The legal tussle culminated in a higher court ruling in favor of the WPA’s appeal, leading to the immediate disqualification of Yildirim and the removal of his gold medal. The WPA’s statement emphasized that the organization was not given the opportunity to participate in the initial legal proceedings, which added to the complexity of the situation.
QUESTIONING THE TRANSPARENCY
The disqualification has sparked debate within the para-athletic community, with some questioning the transparency and fairness of the classification process, while others support the WPA’s decision to uphold its regulations.
Yildirim’s camp has yet to issue an official response, but the athlete’s disqualification marks a significant moment in the ongoing discourse about classification and eligibility in para-sports. As the Paralympic Games continue, the case of Serkan Yildirim serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between inclusivity and the enforcement of rules in competitive sports.
The medals from the men’s 100 meters T12 event will be reallocated, though the WPA has not yet announced the updated medal standings. Meanwhile, Yildirim’s future in para-athletics remains uncertain, with questions looming over his next steps following this high-profile controversy.
