The 16-yer-old from Deeside, who was re-classified on the eve of the Games from the F44 category [as a les autres or other] to the F38 category [for those with cerebral palsy], has been denied a medal in her first Games - becoming the third British athlete to be embroiled in a medal fiasco but the first to end the Games with nothing.

 

Earlier, Blackpool's Shelly Woods had to hand back the silver medal she had been awarded in the T54 5,000 metres after the IPC ordered a re-run of the race.

 

She won a bronze in the restaged event.

 

Then, yesterday, wheelchair race David Weir won the gold medal in the 800m but the IPC initially decided to hold the race again following a mix-up over the lane draw.

 

This morning they reversed the decision following protests from Weir's rivals and allowed the original result to stand with the Londoner keeping his gold medal.

 

Chin was in first position before China's Mi Na threw a world record of 33.67 metres in the final round of the women's F37/38 discus.

 

The Briton initially won silver but the result was overturned.

 

The decision is even more controversial after Chin's assessment just last week while she also competed in the women's F37/38 shot put final, finishing tenth.

 

A Paralympics GB statement read: "In the opinion of the functional classifier Rebecca's throwing stance was not consistent with what he saw in the shot put or the classification process and she does not meet the criteria of functional loss when she throws the discus to compete in the F38 category.

 

"They were unable to give Rebecca confirmation of this class in the discus competition or of her result on Sunday.

 

"Paralympics GB has been told that Rebecca no longer fits into a recognised IPC class."

 

Tim Jones, Britain's athletics team manager said: “It’s been a tough couple of weeks for Becca, who had to undergo a difficult classification process when she first arrived in Beijing.

 

"The athletics team, together with ParalympicsGB, will now be concentrating on providing Becca with full support through this difficult time.”

 

Chin said: “I did my best and performed as well as I could on the day. Considering the circumstances of my preparation due to the classifications I’m pleased with how I’ve conducted myself throughout this process.

 

"I’m obviously disappointed with the outcome today but I’m proud to have represented Great Britain at the Paralympic Games in Beijing.”

 

Phil Lane, Britain's Chef de Mission, said: “Becca has shown a maturity beyond her years in handling what has been a very difficult situation.

 

"This has highlighted the inexact nature of the classification process and we urge the IPC to provide more opportunities to classify athletes outside of major competitions to try and prevent a repeat of this unfortunate outcome.”

 

The controversy detracted from the achievement of John McFall, who won a bronze medal in the T42 100m.

 

The Surrey sprinter hoped for gold but two false starts and a disqualification put extra pressure on the 27-year-old.

 

He held his nerve to finish just a tenth of a second behind silver medallist Heinrich Popow of Germany in 13.08sec with Canada’s Earle Connor taking gold in a Paralympic record 12.32.

 

McFall said: "Going into the race I always knew it would be a bun-fight for silver and bronze.

 

"Gold was wrapped up already.

 

“It was tough to attack the start after a yellow card but I set myself a goal of getting a medal a year ago.

 

"I'm happy but I can't believe it's over now."