Aliyah Abrams finished last in the 400m women’s final yesterday while Brenessa Thompson ended fifth of six starters in semifinal two of three in the 200m, dashing Guyana’s last hopes of medaling at the ongoing Pan American Games in Lima, Peru.
Abrams, in the eight spot, clocked 52.63s in the final, which was won by Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson almost two seconds faster than the local at the Vedena Sports Centre.
Jackson earned gold in 50.73s, leading Mexico’s Paola Moran (51.02s) and Courtney Okolo (51.02s) of the USA onto the podium.
Thompson crossed the line in 24.20s in the half-lap event only ahead of Venezuela’s Desire Soto (24.67s). The semifinal was won by K-Carly Emmanuel of Canada in 23.06s.
On Wednesday in the 100m, Thompson finished sixth across the line in her heat with a pedestrian 11.9s, finishing ahead only of Shenel Croke of St Kitts & Nevis (12.36s).
Emanuel Archibald also failed to get onto the final round in the marquee event two days ago, clocking 10.60s, only good enough for fourth in the second semifinal of the men’s 100m.
Archibald, who was a late addition to the 100m, had ran 10.26s at the National Championships in June.
Archibald, also the current national long jump record holder with a leap of 8.12m, finished 11th out of 13 competitors in the sand with a jump of 7.2m, nowhere near his best.
The Games have been disappointing for Archibald and most of the other representatives of the 592 who all failed to land a medal in the eight disciplines Guyana contested.
Guyana’s other Athletics representative at the Games, hurdler Jenea McCammon, did not finish in the 100m.
Guyana’s campaign at the Games continued the medal-less drought the nation has been enduring since 2011 when squash player Nicolette Fernandes snared a bronze in Mexico.
The 18th edition of the Games which started on July 26, ends on Sunday.
