SANTIAGO (Reuters) – Bill May, aged 44, became the first male to win a medal in artistic swimming at the Pan American Games on Friday. However, May will have to wait longer to see if he can achieve the same feat at the Paris Olympics.
The United States came close to securing a quota spot for the Paris Games, but only the winner of the team gold gets that privilege. Mexico clinched the top spot on the podium with an aggregate score of 786.2546, just .6638 ahead of the Americans.
Now, May and his U.S. teammates will focus on next year’s world championships in Doha where they have the chance to secure a quota spot with a top five finish. U.S. coach Andrea Fuentes expressed her pride, saying, “I’m unbelievably proud. There is no doubt this will make us stronger. We will be in Doha, and we will be at the 2024 Olympic Games.”
Mexico also played the role of spoiler in the women’s soccer gold medal match, defeating Chile 1-0 with a first-half goal from Rebeca Bernal. Despite their efforts, the hosts were at a disadvantage as their first-choice goalkeeper Christiane Endler and backup Antonia Canales had to return to their club teams in Europe due to the match being played outside the international window.
Chile’s striker Maria Jose Urrutia stepped up to play as the goalkeeper but was unable to save Bernal’s 30th minute free kick that found the top right corner of the net.
In the men’s field hockey gold medal match, Argentina added to the host’s disappointment by securing a 3-1 victory.
The penultimate day of track and field action saw eight gold medals up for grabs, with Brazil and Cuba each winning two. However, Venezuela’s Joselyn Brea stole the spotlight by adding the women’s 1,500 meters gold to the 5,000 meters she had previously won.
Canada made a strong start in the canoe sprint events, winning the first three events. Michelle Russell claimed gold in the women’s K1 500m, while Ian Gaudet and Simon McTavish emerged victorious in the men’s K2 500m. Alix Plomteux and Craig Spence secured gold in the men’s C2 500m.
Mexico triumphed in the women’s K4 500m, and Cuba’s Yarisleidis Cirilo Duboys claimed gold in the women’s C1 200m.
The fencing medals were contested between Canada and the United States, with the Americans prevailing in both events. They won gold in the men’s foil and women’s sabre.
Brazil’s Stephan de Freitas Barcha capped the equestrian competition by winning gold in the individual show jumping event. However, controversy arose as Canada lodged a protest over the bronze medal winner. Amy Millar, daughter of 10-time Canadian Olympian Ian Millar, initially seemed to have won bronze but was later disqualified for clipping a barrier, placing sixth.
After more than two hours of deliberation, the judges maintained their decision, affirming Barcha’s victory ahead of Kent Farrington and McLain Ward from the United States.
Brazil achieved a clean sweep in rhythmic gymnastics, winning gold in the five hoops event, with Maria Alexandre taking the individual hoop gold and Barbara Domingos securing gold in the individual ball competition.
With two more days of competition remaining, the United States reached a milestone of 100 gold medals and 234 total medals. Brazil followed closely with 56 gold and 165 overall, while Mexico and Canada stood at 42/113 and 40/139 respectively.
(Reporting by Steve Keating in Santiago; Editing by Jamie Freed)
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