Why can't it be both? He qualifies for the running based on his achievements alone, and his persecution is an extra reason to do this. He didn't qualify simply because he was persecuted.
I feel that focussing on Turing's persecution almost belies his achievements and by continually focussing on his chemical castration, we begin to lose sight of his brilliance as a mathematician. Of course his treatment was abhorrent, but that's not why we as a nation should recognise him. Surely the fact that he is being considered at all to shows the esteem with which he is held?
