Paralympic Games: Cheating row erupts as Italian is caught using a mystery device during rowing final

Australia has added another medal to its Paralympic Games haul after Erik Horrie took bronze in controversial fashion in Paris.

Aussie rower Horrie crossed the finish line in fourth in the men's PR1 single sculls final but was elevated to bronze medal position after a rival was found cheating.

Italian Giacomo Perini was disqualified after officials deemed he had been using a yet unknown communication device, like a phone or a walky-talky, during the race.

Italian officials later confirmed that Perini had forgotten to remove his phone from the boat before the race. 

Once the race officials confirmed there was a device following an investigation, Perrie was ranked last, with Horrie benefitting from the disqualification. 

'There was a situation that happened,' Horrie explained to Nine. 

'World Rowing and Paralympics officials saw it and then made the decision [to disqualify Perini] and I was lucky enough to come away with the bronze,' he said.

'That's all I can say really. It's the joys of sport. There are rules, and as athletes, we stick to them.

'I'm just excited about getting the bronze. I'm at my fourth Games and I can say that I've medalled at every single Paralympics that I've been to.'

Erik Horrie has won bronze at the Paralympic Games after a controversial rowing final

The Australian finished fourth in the men's rowing final but was elevated to bronze

Italy's Giacomo Perini (pictured in 2022) used a mobile device during the race

Horrie, who won silvers in London, Rio and Tokyo, was delighted to add a bronze to his collection.  

'Mate, this means so much,' he said.

'All the sacrifices my family have made [and] putting up with me in the good times and the bad times. As with all athletes, there are a lot of bad times with training and injury.

'So, this is for [my wife] Michelle and the kids back home.

'It's one of those things that's hard to explain.'

Italy's rowing authority released a statement after the jury's decision, explaining that Perini had forgotten that his phone was still in the boat.

The Ferderation said in a statement translated by Instagram: 'After a historic and highly competitive competition, ending with an exciting third place and a bronze medal, while everyone was celebrating the achievement, the Jury was excluded from the Paralympic podium of the PR1 single for this reason: "In the final Men's singles PR1, the Italian athlete was found using communication equipment during the race, in violation of rule 28 and Appendix R2, Bye-Law of rule 28. Consequently, the crew was excluded from the event and is classified last”.'

'The Federation is proceeding with an official claim, providing the records of Perini's phone, who is solely responsible for having forgotten it on the boat. 

'We will shortly provide news of the outcome of the appeal.'