Classification controversy as Chin scratched from Games

By Paul Carter

Britain’s 16-year-old field athlete Rebecca Chin has been stripped of a silver medal in the discus after officials decided her impairment was not severe enough for her to compete in the Paralympics.

Chin had already been reclassified before the Games had begun, and had moved from the F44 category, a catch-all category known as les autres, to F38, for athletes with minor CP.

She had already competed in the F38 shot put, finishing tenth, with the final placings confirmed by the judges.

The controversy came when Chin threw a world record in the F37/38 discus final, eventually finishing second, leading the chief classifier to lodge an official protest over her classification.

There are reports that other athletes were chanting “cheat” at the British youngster, while Australian rival Amanda Fraser refused to shake her hand after her final throw.

It has now been decided that she does not fit into any Paralympic class, and so will no longer be able to compete, and her participation has been expunged from the records.

"I'm obviously disappointed with the outcome, but I'm proud to have represented Great Britain at the Paralympic Games," said Chin.