...By Jack Sylva for TDPel Media.
A top Scottish athlete, Joasia Zakrzewski, was disqualified from the 2023 GB Ultras after being accused of riding in a car for a section of the race.
Zakrzewski, who finished third in the race, was tracked by GPX mapping data that showed she had traveled 2.5 miles of the 50-mile race by car.
She was subsequently disqualified, and her bronze medal was awarded to Mel Sykes.
Sykes launched a tirade against Zakrzewski on Twitter, calling her a “cheat.”
The matter has been referred to UK Athletics, and the race director, Wayne Drinkwater, confirmed that Zakrzewski had gained an “unsporting, competitive advantage” by taking vehicle transport during part of the route.
Zakrzewski Allegedly Rode in Car During Ultramarathon
Joasia Zakrzewski, a Scottish athlete, has been accused of riding in a car for part of the 2023 GB Ultras race and subsequently disqualified from the competition.
GPX mapping data tracked Zakrzewski, revealing that she had traveled 2.5 miles of the 50-mile race by car.
Zakrzewski, who finished third in the race, was subsequently disqualified, and her bronze medal was awarded to Mel Sykes, who called her a “cheat” on Twitter.
The matter has been referred to UK Athletics, and the race director confirmed that Zakrzewski had gained an “unsporting, competitive advantage” by taking vehicle transport during part of the route.
Commentary:
The use of technology in sporting events is becoming increasingly common, and the case of Joasia Zakrzewski demonstrates how it can be used to expose cheating.
The GPX mapping data used to track Zakrzewski showed that she had ridden in a car for part of the race, giving her an unfair advantage over other competitors.
This kind of cheating undermines the integrity of the competition and harms the reputation of the sport.
It is important that race organizers take a strong stance against cheating and ensure that all participants are playing by the rules.
The disqualification of Zakrzewski sends a clear message that cheating will not be tolerated and that fair play is essential for the integrity of the sport.
