ParalympicsGB sprinter Libby Clegg won gold in the women's T11 100m after being disqualified in the semi-final. Clegg, who has Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy disease, a deteriorating eye condition, assisted by guide Chris Clarke set a world record to qualify for the final but was disqualified when the judges accused Clarke of assisting her.
Following an appeal by UK Athletics, Clegg was reinstated and took her place on the start line at the Olympic Stadium for the final. Home favourite Terezinha Guilhermina was looking to defend her title, but the Brazilian could only finish fourth as Clegg took gold.
Clegg, who won Paralympic silver at both Beijing 2008 and London 2012 in the T12 classification, admitted after the final that the circumstances had been difficult, “It’s been a bit exhausting and I’m a bit tired. But it’s ended on a high. I’m pretty unpopular. I think I’m pretty unpopular from this morning anyway. It’s just one of those things. I thought they were going to protest Chris being so close on the line with me, because we know that we cut it fine. I never thought it would be through dragging."
Clegg continued, "It's not really hit me just yet. I'm over the moon, we ran a similar time in the semi. Almost being disqualified in the semis, these things happen. You have to get on with it and hope for the best. I would never want to dishonourably win a medal or cheat or break the rules in any way. I was a little bit upset that allegation had been made against me. I’m just glad I’ve got a fantastic technical support team that fought my corner". Her guide, Clarke, was straight to the point as he paid tribute to Clegg saying “It was all her. She's done all the work... and I'm just here like John Terry".