Paralympic athlete stripped of medal after breaking little-known phone rule at 2024 Games

Italian Paralympic rower Giacomo Perini was disqualified and lost the bronze medal he won in Paris due to breaking a bizarre rule during the event.

The 28-year-old came home to finish in third place for the PR1 men’s single sculls final, which is the classification for those only using their arms and shoulders to row.

However, the Italian athlete's joy was cut short in brutal fashion when it was announced by the World Rowing Committee he had been disqualified in extremely odd circumstances.

A World Rowing statement said: “In the final of the PR1 men’s singles, the Italian athlete was found to be using communications equipment during the race, in violation of rule 28 and Appendix R2, Bye-Law of rule 28."

While 'rule 28 and Appendix R2, Bye-Law of rule 28' may seem like the most complicated reason for disqualification ever, it is actually quite simple.

Following the race on Sunday it was discovered that Perini had a mobile phone on his boat in a plastic bag, however, the rower has revealed he strongly disagrees with statement and is adamant he didn't break the rules.

Perrini claims he never used the device to communicate and it remained in a plastic bag alongside a bottle of water for the duration of the race.

“They didn’t ‘find’ me simply because I never used the mobile phone on the boat,” Perini explained to ANSA.

Perini- Getty

“I gave the phone to the jury so that they could see that the last call was from the night before, with the psychologist.

“The rules do not say that you cannot bring the phone, but that you cannot communicate," he added.

Perini isn't actually wrong, with the rule that World Rowing claims he broke stating: “no communication with the crew is permitted from outside the boat using electric or electronic equipment”.

Despite The Italian Rowing Federation filing an appeal against the decision it was rejected by World Rowing, however, they plan to once again appeal the decision.