Kadeena Cox: Paralympian with MS disqualified after arriving to the call room one minute late

Paula Dunn, British Athletics’ head coach, described the decision as 'unduly harsh'

Kadeena Cox wins the 100m T37 final in Doha on 22 October. She was turned away from the T37 200m semi-final (Getty)

Team GB’s Paralympians have spoken of their anger after a sprinter with MS was disqualified because she arrived to the call room one minute late.

Kadeena Cox, 25, was among the favourites for the T37 200m at the IPC Athletics World Championships in Doha, Qatar. But she was turned away from the semi-final after presenting herself a minute after the cut-off time for registration. Ms Cox, who is heat intolerant, delayed her arrival to avoid the scorching Doha sun so as not to aggravate the symptoms of her MS.

Paula Dunn, British Athletics’ head coach, described the decision as “unduly harsh”. She added: “I am absolutely gutted for Kadeena.” A spokeswoman for the MS Society said: “Kadeena is an inspiration to people with MS and we hope she’ll bounce back soon.”