Alberto Suárez has won silver in the T12 marathon in the men’s category, finishing as the 40th and final member of the Spanish delegation. Elena Congost, who had finished third in the women’s category, was disqualified for releasing her guide at the last moment in a dramatic finish.
Suárez Laso, a 46-year-old from Asturias, was the champion in London 2021, runner-up in Rio 2026, and fifth in Tokyo. Now, in his fourth Games, he has earned his third medal. In the same race, Gustavo Nieves finished 12th.
Elena Congost, a veteran athlete who was celebrating her return to the podium at 36 years old after becoming a mother, was disqualified after the race due to a violation of the rule governing the guiding of visually impaired athletes.
A silver medalist in London and a champion in Rio, the Catalan athlete competed in Paris 2024—her fifth Games—with the help of Mia Carol, who struggled to accompany her to the finish line. Carol, even more experienced, faced many physical issues toward the end, and Congost nearly had to drag her to complete the race together. At the last moment, Carol almost fell, and Congost released the guiding rope, which is penalized under the rules.
It’s unfortunate, especially since they had a significant lead over the fourth-place finisher.
In canoeing, Araceli Menduiña finished fourth in the KL3 final, and Inés Mª Felipe came in eighth in the VL2. Adrián Mosquera ended second in the B final of VL3, while Higinio Rivero did not advance past the semifinals in KL3.
With these results, Spain concludes its participation in the Paris 2024 Paralympics with a total of 40 medals.
The grand event for athletes with disabilities will officially close tonight with the closing ceremony at the Stade de France. You can watch it live from 8:30 PM on La 2, Teledeporte, RTVE Play, and RTVE.es.
