By Akeem Greene in Chile
Guyanese Jasmine Abrams and Emanuel Archibald powered to the podium in the 100m finals, securing the country’s first two medals at the ongoing Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile.
In chilly conditions, Abrams got silver while Archibald dipped to bronze in an epic photo finish at the Julio Martínez Prádanos National Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Heading into the final as the second-fastest qualifier, she maintained her position in Lane 5 and even challenged for gold until Cuban De La Caridad García (11.36s) pulled away in the final meters.
The Guyanese clocked 11.52 seconds, while Trinidadian Michelle-lee Ayhe (11.53s) got bronze.
On the other hand, the Men’s 100m went to the line as just 0.1 seconds separated the medalist.
The eight men certainly had nerves, and the final got underway after two false starts, further adding tension to the marque event.
Archibald made a strong start in Lane 1 and kept with the top two until a close finish, as the Guyanese secured bronze in 10.31s (.310)
Silver went to Brazilian Felipe Bardi, who also had 10.31s (.302), while gold went to Alnardo Gonzalez of the Dominican Republic with 10.30 seconds.
It is the first Athletics medal for Guyana at the Games since Aliann Pompey (400m Bronze) and Marian Burnett (800m Silver) got the podium at the 2003 Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Additionally, it was the first medal for Guyana at the Games since 2011, when squash player Nicolette Fernandes got bronze in Mexico.
Guyana won no medals in 2015 (Canada) and 2019 (Peru).
Abrams and Archibald indicated the focus shifts to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games as they aim to meet the entry standards – 10.00 seconds for men and 11.07 seconds for women in the 100m.
Those times need to be achieved between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024.
Abrams holds the national record at 11.07 seconds, while Archibald’s personal best is 10.13 seconds.
Athletes can qualify in two ways for the Paris 2024 Games, with 50% of qualification places based on achieving the entry standard for an event within the qualification period and the other 50% based on the World Athletics Ranking within the ranking period.
On Wednesday (November 1), Aliyah Abrams will run out of Lane 5 in the Women’s 400m final from 19:23h. She enters the race as the second-fastest qualifier.
At 18:15h, Archibald starts in Lane 4 for semi-final one in the Men’s 200m. He enters the race with a season-best of 20.69s.
The top two automatically qualify for the final, along with the two fastest non-direct qualifiers.
Additionally, archer Devin Permaul competes in the Men’s Individual Recurve (ranking round) from 08:00h, while Hemchandra Persaud contests Esport football from Thursday at 10:00h.
Leslain Baird will seek glory in the Men’s Javelin on Saturday from 18:59h.
