ARGENTINA BREAKS THE PAN AMERICAN RECORD IN THE 3,000 METERS STEEPLECHASE

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Belén Casetta rewrote the history of Pan American athletics by surpassing the women’s 3,000 meters steeplechase record.

A momentous event unfolded on the track for Argentina’s athlete Belen Casetta, who exceeded all expectations and shattered the Pan American record in the women’s 3,000 meters steeplechase. Casetta not only claimed the gold medal with a time of 9:39.47 but also left behind the previous Pan American record of 9:41.45 set by Canada’s athlete Geneviève Lalonde in Lima 2019.

In second place was Canada’s Alycia Butterworth, who earned the silver medal with a time of 9:40.86, and the bronze went to Brazil’s Tatiane Da Silva with a time of 9:41.29. All the medalists broke the previous record, but only Casetta’s name will be associated with the new mark.

“I never expected this at all. I thank my family because I couldn’t have done it alone. This medal is not only mine but also for all the people behind me. It’s the first time in my life that I’ve taken a victory lap with so many people and, in addition, I’ve achieved a Pan American record. Unbelievable!” said Belén Casetta.

In the men’s 3,000 meters steeplechase, the gold medal was won by Canada’s Jean-Simon Desgagnes with a time of 8:30.14. The silver medal went to the United States athlete Daniel Michalski with a time of 8:36.47, and the bronze was claimed by the Colombian Carlos Andrés San Martin with a time of 8:41.59.

“I am very happy with my victory. I missed out on a medal in my first competition; it’s incredible. I had a bit of technical difficulty in the last 400 meters, but I kept getting up and securing the medal. It’s perfect,” said Jean-Simon Desgagnes.

MEN’S AND WOMEN’S 800 METERS

In the women’s 800 meters, Cuba shone by securing two medals and dominating the competition. The gold medal was captured by the Cuban athlete Diago Shaily, who crossed the finish line with a time of 2:02.71 to claim her first Pan American Games medal.

The silver medal went to Uruguay’s Deborah Rodríguez, who clocked a time of 2:02.88. It was her second Pan American medal, following her bronze in Lima 2019. The bronze medal was earned by Cuba’s Rose Mary Almanza with a time of 2:03.68. Four years ago, she won the silver in Lima 2019.

“I am very happy and grateful; the crowd’s applause was heard loud and clear, and it’s inexplicable. This medal is for my family in Cuba, Guatemala, and for my coach, who is my father,” said Diago Shaily.

In the men’s 800 meters competition, Venezuela once again demonstrated its exceptional speed in athletics. Venezuela’s athlete Jose Antonio Maita secured the gold medal with a time of 1:45.69, earning his first gold medal at this level of competition.

The silver medal went to Mexican athlete Jesús Tonatiu, who clocked a time of 1:46.04. The bronze medal was claimed by Jamaican athlete Navasky Anderson with a time of 1:46.40.

“Thank God, the effort and work I’ve been putting in all this time have paid off. Here, I felt at home, with people always cheering and singing. I had never been in such a crowded stadium and in such an important competition. I’m truly very happy,” said Maita.

Written by Pablo Soto