Quarter-miler Aliyah Abrams could not make use of her second chance in the repechage round of the women’s 400m event, finishing fifth yesterday, much like her performance in the earlier heats on Monday at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Her fifth-place finish not only confirmed her exit from the prestigious games but effectively ended Guyana’s participation as well.
Abrams, who is the national record holder in the 400m event, clocked 51.84s yesterday in the first repechage round and could not better her time from a day before. On Monday, she had run a season-best of 51.55 seconds, which could not push her to the semi-finals, but her time was good enough to give her a lifeline in the repechage rounds.
Olympic track and field athletes who do not automatically qualify through the first round of action in the 200m, 400m, 800m, 1,500m, 100m hurdles, 110m hurdles, and 400m hurdles are granted an additional round to secure their spots in the semi-finals.
Abrams was one of five Guyanese athletes at the Games in Paris, along with sprinter Emanuel Archibald, table tennis player Chelsea Edghill, and swimmers Aleka Persaud and Raekwon Noel, who all faltered at the first round of their respective events.
Of the five, Noel had the best performance, resetting his national record in the men’s 400m freestyle after finishing second in his heat, but could not progress as he finished outside of the eight fastest from the overall heats.
Noel’s previous personal best and national record was 4 minutes and 3.57 seconds, but he stopped the clock at 4 minutes and 2.29 seconds to set a new standard.
