Atletismo Author: Lima 2019 press release Lima, 7 August 2019

British Virgin Islands gains its first gold medal in the Pan American Games

Chantel Malone beat the favorite Colombian athlete in the long jump event.

Islas Virgenes Británicas obtiene su primera medalla de oro en los Juegos Panamericanos
Islas Virgenes Británicas obtiene su primera medalla de oro en los Juegos Panamericanos

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.