British Paralympians to face suggestions they have won golds unfairly

• Parliamentary hearing will investigate fairness of classification system
• Michael Breen claims UK Athletics manipulated system in pursuit of medals

Some of Britain’s most successful Paralympic athletes are set to face suggestions they have won their gold medals unfairly at a parliamentary hearing today investigating whether the classification system is fit for purpose.

Michael Breen, the father of the Paralympian Olivia Breen and a prominent classification campaigner, has accused UK Athletics – the governing body for the sport in this country – of “manipulating” the system in order to win more medals. He claims they are knowingly fielding athletes in races or events where their disability is significantly less affecting than their competitors. Breen, whose daughter has cerebral palsy and is a long jump world champion, will use parliamentary privilege to name the athletes who he believes are competing in the incorrect categories and expects it to result in a “significant backlash”.

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from The Guardian http://ift.tt/2ij7KfF