Deuquan Farrell won Guyana’s first Youth Olympic Games medal yesterday, taking silver in the men’s 200 metres by four thousandths of a second in Dakar, Senegal.
Zimbabwe’s Ropafadzo Mzondo won the final at the Iba Mar Diop Stadium in 21.04 seconds. Farrell and the Philippines’ Pi Durden Forward Wangkay both recorded 21.36 seconds to the nearest hundredth, but the photo finish put Farrell second in 21.355 and Wangkay third in 21.359. The race was run into a slight headwind of 0.2 metres per second.
Farrell, 17, won his semifinal in 21.61 seconds earlier in the day before lining up in lane eight for the final. The Mackenzie High School student, coached by Johnny Gravesande, holds the South American Youth Games record in the 200m and served as Guyana’s flag bearer in Dakar.
The Guyana Olympic Association congratulated Farrell and recognised Gravesande, his family, his school and others who supported him. The association said his achievement could inspire younger Guyanese athletes.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport also congratulated Farrell and pointed to the result as an example of what continued government investment in athletes can help achieve.
The Dakar Games run from October 31 to November 13 and mark the first time Africa has hosted an Olympic sporting event.
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