LIMA 2019 ATHLETICS COMPETITIONS OPEN WITH NEW RECORDS AND PACKED GRANDSTANDS

The athletics events for the Pan American Games have finally started. The excitement of the Peruvian athletes and the grandstands decorated with the colors of the flags of the participating countries made this day even more special. There were sprint, jump, and throw events.

Although she was not able to clock her season’s best time of 10.73, the Jamaican Elaine Thomas won the heat with a time of 11.36. However, she still achieved the best time in 100 meters in this qualification round.

One of the most expected events was jump, which featured the Colombian Caterina Ibargüen, considered the best athlete in 2018. Nevertheless, she was left behind by Chantel Malone from the British Virgin Islands. Despite nor winning the event, the Colombian athlete thanked the people who supported her: “All my love to the people of Lima. Thank you for this lovely stadium and for welcoming all athletes.”

The first medals were awarded in the discus event, where the Jamaican Andray Dacres landed the gold setting a new Pan American record of 67.68. This way, he surpassed the mark obtained by the Cuban Luis Delis in Caracas in 1983.

The women's 10,000 m race offer up a lot of excitement. The Canadian Michell Wodak took home the gold medal and broke the Pan American record of 31:55.17 . She even ran another lap carrying her country’s flag, along with her compatriot Lorraine Cliff who placed third.

Kimberly Cardona stood out among the Peruvian athletes. She clocked a time of 58.04 in 400 meters with hurdles, breaking the mark of 58.36 she obtained at the Trujillo Ibero-American Championships in Athletics.

The competitions will continue this Wednesday, with the women’s 100 meters event that will be held at 16:40 at the VIDENA Athletics Stadium.