The last meters of the race were shocking. Laura Galván sped with all her strength in order to leave Jessica Marie O´Connell behind and win the gold medal. 

At the age of 27, the Mexican athlete, born in Guanajuato, was only five seconds away from the Pan American record to give Mexico a new god medal at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games. “I trained really hard and the strategy was to endure and resist, and that’s how things happened,” stated Galván. 

The atmosphere—cold due to the weather—turned warm thanks to the continuous cheers of the audience at the Athletics Stadium of the VIDENA. “There was a lot of emotion and encouragement to Peruvian athletes, but I avoided the distraction and focused on the race,” stated the Mexican athlete.  

Her nails were decorated with the Mexican flag and she showed them smiling along with her gold medal, “I got my nails done in Mexico before coming, the flags are a way to represent my country and be able to win the medal,” emphasized Galván, who also added that the ceramic Milco “is a beautiful present, typical from here and it’s a proof that the Games are spectacular.” Did you know that Virgin Islands won her first won medal at the Lima 2019 Games?  

Peruvian Saida Meneses broke her own mark and established a new South American record in the under-23 category with a time of 15.47.16. “I learned that I must use another type of strategy when facing incredible runners. Even though I broke my record, I was left with the desire to win the medal. However, I know more opportunities will come,” stated the Peruvian athlete. 

The British Virgin Islands celebrated. Tonight, the British Virgin Islands obtained its first gold medal in the history of the Pan American Games, after winning the long jump event at the Athletics Stadium of the VIDENA.

The athlete Chantel Malone won with 6.68 m—in her first attempt—and defeated Colombian Caterine Ibargüen, Olympic champion in Rio three years ago, who placed fifth in this competition with 6.54 m.

Malone is 27 years old and was born in Puerto Rico. She placed fifth at Toronto 2015. With this gold medal obtained at the Pan American Games, she entered the sporting history of the small Caribbean archipelago.

Behind Malone, the second and third place went to Keturah Orji (United States) with 6.66 meters and Tissana Patric Hickling (Jamaica) with 6.59, respectively.

It is worth mentioning that the athletics events have already started in Lima 2019 and a great party could be observed on the grandstands, where the colorful flags of the participating countries and the support from the Peruvian fans showed an incredible atmosphere. 

Legendary American athlete Carl Lewis, nine-time Olympic champion, eight-time world champion and gold medalist at the Indianapolis 1987 Pan American Games, will come to Lima to watch the Games. As a special guest of Panam Sports, he will arrive in Lima on August 4 and will be in charge of awarding medals for the 100 meters and men’s long jump. 

According to a press release by Panam Sports, the athlete accepted the invitation made by its President, Neven Ilic. 

“We’re glad that Carl Lewis will come to see the Pan American Games. Without a doubt, he’ll be our Guest of Honor. He will take part in the medal ceremonies for the 100 meters and high jump, which were the events that led him to fame throughout his career. The fact that he’s interested in coming evidences the appeal and importance of these Games across the continent,” stated Ilic. 
 
Carl Lewis will stay in Lima until Saturday, August 10. In his six-day trip, the American athlete will have the chance to learn about the city attractions and enjoy the world-class level of the athletics competitions at VIDENA.