Havana, November 26 (RHC)-- The disqualification of Cuban Omara Durand and her guide Yuniol Kindelán, after winning the 400 m final in athletics at the 7th Parapan American Games Santiago 2023, is considered painful.
Durand, world record holder in the three distances of the sprint and multiple world and Paralympic champion, conquered in this capital the titles in 100 and 200 meters, but unfortunately she was disqualified at the end of the final of the oval lap after applying Article 7.9.5 of the technical regulations.
Omara and Yuniol won with extreme ease, but the athlete let go of the rope or garter that connects her to her guide with less than a meter left to cross the finish line of the competition.
Jorge Reinaldo Palma, technical director of the Cuban delegation in this multi-sport event, explained to the press that this rope cannot be released by either the athlete or the guide until the finish line is crossed in any of the track events in which they compete.
"It is regrettable for our delegation and in particular for Omara and Yuniol, but after complaining, because we were not clear about what happened, we were allowed to view the video of the test and it is clearly seen that indeed violated the rule indicated," he said.
We share the pain of Omara, Yuniol, coach Miriam Ferrer and all the members of the delegation, but the violation was committed, hence the disqualification, said Palma.
This would have represented the 14th gold medal for the Antillean gazelle in Parapan American multi-sport events, a harvest that began in the Rio 2007 edition and continued in Guadalajara 2011, Toronto 2015, Lima 2019 and now Santiago 2023.
After this fateful outcome, the West Indian gazelle told Prensa Latina that she is in very good condition to face her fourth Paralympic Games next year and increase her harvest of eight gold medals under the five rings.
Her record in continental events could be over, since the summer adventure in Paris 2024 could be the last great competition of one of the best Cuban athletes of this beginning of the century, who has conquered everything. (Source: Prensa Latina)
