At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, Australian star Jaryd Clifford came agonizingly close to earning his first Paralympic gold. He faced off against Spain’s Yassine Ouhdad El Aaby, a competitor he had previously defeated in the 5000m at the World Championships. Despite his determination, Clifford nearly collapsed from exhaustion and had to settle for second place in Tokyo. This year, however, things went wrong in an even more sensational fashion.

Despite crossing the line in third place in the men’s 500m T13 event, Clifford was stripped of his bronze medal. The reason? The two-time Paralympic silver medalist released his grip on the 20-inch tether with his guide, milliseconds ahead of crossing the finish line. The fundamental rule violation cost the track and field athlete a podium position he had technically earned. Alongside his dream of earning consecutive 5000m medals, his family, and community’s hard work also came undone.

Jaryd Clifford feels he didn’t just let himself down

“I’m absolutely gutted that we made such a critical mistake today. Remaining tethered is a fundamental rule of guiding & I’m shattered that I lost my mind in those final meters.” the Australian Paralympic track and field athlete wrote on X. The review footage showed Clifford losing grip on the tether before his last stride, guide Matthew Clarke held on.

The Paralympian bawled his eyes out on the side of the track upon realizing his mistake. “I’m not just shattered for me; I’m shattered for them,” Jaryd Clifford told media after the race. The T13 long and middle-distance runner is legally blind. Hence, he requires neutral athletes called Guides during the race. However, both athletes and their guides have to follow strict rules.

The 25-year-old arrived in Paris with two guides. The two-time world champion proudly announced the neutral athletes who act as his guides ahead of the Paris Paralympics. “It means the world to announce that I’ll be chasing the dream in Paris alongside my two best mates @timlogann (Tim Logan) and @mattiiclarke (Matthew Clarke),” the Australian track star wrote on Instagram.

The three-time Paralympic medalist revealed he had met Tim Logan 11 years ago. “We’ve grown up together. Three years ago, he ran with me whilst I threw up on the roads of Tokyo,” the athlete wrote. Meanwhile, the runner revealed that “Matt was my first racing guide.” The two-time Olympian has been guiding Jaryd Clifford for the better part of a decade.

However, the middle-distance runner also felt devastated for the people who had helped him reach Paris. While Clifford and his guides may be the ones on the field, getting to the Paris Paralympics was a collaborative effort. Like all sports, track and field can be incredibly expensive to fund without a sponsor.

“My school is doing a fundraiser… [the money] will go to mum, dad and my sister.” Jaryd Clifford told ABC News in 2016. “It comes down to mum and dad a lot of the time,” the athlete added. Since Rio 2016, Clifford has also earned the Sport Australia Hall of Fame scholarship. He was also fortunate enough to find a sponsor in VISA ahead of Paris.

Yet the Paralympic medalist couldn’t forget his family’s sacrifices. He couldn’t help but feel he had let down everyone who contributed to his journey. “I went to see mum and dad, and my girlfriend and broke down and cried,” Clifford told the media. However, the athlete refuses to end his Paralympics on such a tragic note.

It’s not over till it’s over

“I’ve got so much more to give, I promise to bring everything for the 1500m on Tuesday,” Jaryd Clifford wrote in the same post where he lamented the loss. Despite the terrible mishap during the 5000m race, the athlete will have another chance to shine in the 1500 m T13 race. Clifford won bronze in the event at the Tokyo Paralympic Games and gold at the 2019 Worlds.

After overcoming the grief of his disastrous Paris Olympics debut, the champion is channeling his frustration into fuel. “All the hurt from yesterday is all the fire I need for this, 1500m. It will just be me out there this time, but after feeling so much support today. I know I’ll have an army behind me on that start line,” the Paralympian posted shortly after getting stripped.

The 1500m T13 event is set for Tuesday at 10:17 am (Paris local time). Do you think the 25-year-old can replicate or even surpass his Tokyo Paralympic performance in the 1500m? Share your thoughts in the comments below!