Guyana’s Leslain Baird gave Guyana its third medal of the pan American games which ended yesterday in Santiago, Chile.
Competing in the javelin 12-person male javelin final, the third to last event on yesterday’s final day, Baird threw 78.25 metres to gain the bronze medal.
The event was won by Curtis Thompson of the USA with a throw of 79.65 with Brazil’s Pedro Nunes 78.45m good enough for the silver medal.
“I cannot explain the emotion that I’m going through right now,” Baird said in an interview afterwards.
“I must give thanks to The Almighty for giving me health and strength and making reach this level earning a medal,” he added. An obviously elated and grateful Baird thanked his parents, his entire family, the entire Guyana Defence Force, the Running Braves Club and the Guyana Police Force Track and Field Club for his success.
“I’ve earned this medal through, sweat and tears and blood. Two years ago I didn’t see this possible due to an injury that I had. I pushed through and today I stand a bronze medal winner.” Baird thanked his coach Johnny Gravesande also his coach from Cuba and his coach from Peru.
“This competition is higher than the CAC we have Olympians, we have Diamond League competitors in this competition. To throw against those guys is a plus for me. If you notice there were just centimetres separating first, second and third,” he declared.
“So I know that I’m up there with them, so I’m going back to the drawing board and perfect it for next year. From here is rest and prepare for Joint Services,” he said. Guyana’s tally of one silver and two bronze medals saw them finishing joint 24th along with The Bahamas and Haiti.
The silver medal was won by Jasmine Abrams in the women’s 100m where she clocked 11.52s while Emmanuel Archibald won bronze in the men’s 100m in 10.31s.
The USA topped the medal standings with 116 gold medals, 74 silver and 82 bronze. Second was Brazil with 64 gold, 71 silver and 65 bronze and third was Mexico with 48 gold, 33 silver and 50 bronze.
Guyana’s Leslain Baird won a bronze medal in the javelin event at the Pan Am Games which ended yesterday in Santiago, Chile.
