What to know
- Brampton wheelchair racer Nandini Sharma was disqualified after she accidentally collided with another racer in the women’s T54 1,500 metre competition at the Commonwealth Games.
- Sharma was stripped of the silver medal she won after getting back up and finishing the race.
- Athletics Canada’s appeal was rejected, and officials have ordered the race to be rerun with the remaining athletes.
- Sharma is still scheduled to compete in the women’s T54 400 metre competition, which is scheduled to start on Friday.
A Brampton wheelchair racer has been stripped of her silver medal at the Commonwealth Games after colliding with another athlete.
Nandini Sharma, a wheelchair track and field racer on Team Canada who is currently competing in the T54 classification at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, was disqualified in the 1500 metre race after her wheelchair’s back wheel collided with fellow competitor and world champion Noemi Alphonse of Mauritius.
Australian competitor Eliza Ault-Connell went down in the crash as well.
After getting back up, Sharma finished the race in second place, earning what she thought was a well-deserved silver medal. However, race officials later disqualified and stripped her of the medal after reviewing the race footage.
Athletics Canada appealed the decision, but was later rejected. In a statement to Now Toronto, a spokesperson said, “Athletics Canada (AC) appealed Nandini Sharma’s disqualification following the women’s T53/54 1500m race. The Jury has rendered its decision and stated that, ‘having considered the multiple appeals that were submitted the Jury has decided that the disqualification will stand. The race will be re-run with the remaining athletes.’”
“While Athletics Canada is disappointed with this decision, we accept the process and look forward to Nandini competing again in the T53/54 400m race.”
Sharma will compete again in the 400 metre race, which is scheduled to begin Friday, July 31.
Despite the heartbreak for Sharma, Team Canada has dominated the Commonwealth Games, with homegrown talent having won several gold medals already.
Earlier this week, Ellie Black captured gold in the gymnastics all-around competition for the second year in a row. She also won a silver medal in uneven bars. Ethan Katzberg won gold in hammer throw, setting a new Commonwealth record in the process. In swimming, Kylie Masse topped the podium in the 50 metre backstroke and Josh Liendo won in the 100 metre butterfly, breaking a Commonwealth record.
