A Paralympic gold medalist was banned from competing in the final of a regular swimming race because of her disability.

Alice Tai, who lives in New Milton and attended Bournemouth Collegiate School, was furious with the ruling after she had sailed through the heats of a county championships against able-bodied swimmers.

But the 19-year-old was prevented from taking her rightful place in the finals of the 50m and 100m backstroke because she wasn't eligible.

According to national regulations, para athletes can swim in heats but have to be entered separately from non-disabled swimmers in finals.

Alice, who suffers from club foot, was therefore barred from the event.

The decision has been slammed by those in the swimming world, with some describing the case as 'disability discrimination' and 'morally indefensible'.

Alice was part of Team GB's victorious 4x100 metre relay medley team in the Paralympics in Rio in 2016 and she is the current European champion for the same event.

She is also the current world record holder for the 100m backstroke in her disabled classification of S8.

Due to her condition she is unable to generate as much power while travelling through the water as regular swimmers.

She is also unable to move her ankles, putting her at a severe disadvantage against able-bodied competitors.

Despite this however, her time of 1:09.22 in the 100m heat placed her as the fourth fastest swimmer across all age groups at last weekend's Middlesex County Championships.

Her time would have put her in the running for a medal.

She also finished 7th in her 50m backstroke heat with a time 32.45 seconds - which would have placed her sixth if repeated in the final.

Alice, from New Milton, Hants, said today she just wants to race against swimmers of a similar speed to herself and doesn't care if they are disabled or otherwise.

She said: "The rule is very outdated and states that para athletes can't compete in finals against able-bodied swimmers.

"According to the regulations we're classed as separate and as I was entered as a para swimmer I wasn't eligible.

"It was incredibly frustrating as I was allowed to compete in the heats and my time qualified me for a place in the final.

"I wish they had told me beforehand because it feels a bit hypocritical to let me swim in the heats but not the final."

She added: "I only want the opportunity to race swimmers of similar speed to me. I'm so mad right now."

Alice, who is studying music at the University of West London, said that officials at Swim England, the sport's governing body, have since told her they are reviewing the rules following the incident.

Swimming coach Graham Wardell said Alice should have been allowed to compete.

He posted on social media: "Surely disability discrimination is morally indefensible?

"If you have the 'able bodied' entry qualification time then you should be allowed to swim the final.

"Disgraceful way to carry on, sounds like the meet is swum to satisfy rules and not in the best interest of the athletes"

Barry Alldrick, a swimming coach from Poole, tweeted: "This is disgustingly inexcusable.

"I would like to see where in the rules it would say something like this.

"Swimmers in that final should refuse to swim until the correct qualifiers are in it. Sorry our sport has been so morally incorrect."

Middlesex Amateur Swimming Association, which was running the county championship event, has since raised the issue with Swim England.

A spokesman for the association said they were aware of the matter but referred it to Swim England as it was their rules.

Martin Lees, Swim England Para-swimming development manager, said: “We are aware of the situation at the recent 2019 Middlesex Youth County Championships and are in contact with the local organisers and the athlete concerned. Unfortunately, this situation arose due to the way the conditions of the event had been communicated. It was in no way intended to offend anyone. 

“As the national governing body for swimming, we are committed to ensuring all swimmers are able to take part in every level of competition. We will be encouraging organisers of events across the country to review their event conditions as a matter of urgency to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”