Daily Cooper
Havana, April 12 (RHC) - The young Daily Cooper was the most outstanding figure of the second day of the Fortún Memorial of athletics, in her native Camagüey, by winning the 800 meters with a personal best close to the Olympic qualification.
Aged 22 and runner-up in the Pan American 1500m in Santiago-2023, Cooper took the lead from the start and ran alone against the clock to clock 2.00.45 minutes.
With that time, she improved by almost two seconds her previous best (2.02.27 in 2023) and was close to the minimum mark required by World Athletics (WA) to seal her ticket to Paris-2024.
In addition, she entered Cuba's historical top ten in the double oval lap (ninth), in a list headed since 1989 by her idol, the phenomenal Ana Fidelia Quiros (1.54.44). She was also included among the 25 best in the world in the current season, in an event that will give 48 Olympic places.
"The result was as expected. With more rivalry I think I would have made the mark for the Olympic Games, which I can achieve with other level competitions. My coach (Pedro Tamayo) and I have worked for it," said the 22-year-old Cuban from Camagüey in statements to Radio Habana Cuba (www.radiohc.cu).
She considered essential for her result the preparation of almost two months carried out in high altitude conditions in Mexico - she returned to the island on April 6 - and was hopeful of improving her results in both 800m and 1500m and get the place to Paris in the first distance.
She pointed out that one of her next competitions will be the Ibero-American Championship in Cuiabá, Brazil, from May 10 to 12, although she said that she would be proud to be part of the women's 4x400 quartet that will be at the World Relays in Nassau, Bahamas, from May 4 to 5.
Cuba has a rich history in the 800 meters flat (m and f), with illustrious figures such as Ana Fidelia Quiros,
Alberto Juantorena, Zulia Calatayud, Norberto Tellez and Yeya Penton, among others.
In addition to Cooper, two other athletes are seeking to qualify for Paris 2024, the champion of Santiago 2023, Sahily Diago Mesa (1.57.74 in 2014), and the Central Caribbean multi-champion, Rose Almanza (1.56.28 in 2021).
Cooper will return to the track this Friday at the Fortun Memorial, in the 4x400 relay for women.
