FOTO (Fernando Neris)

El periódico The Gleaner, de Jamaica, menciona la evolución de los corredores puertorriqueños en los 800 metros de Atletismo, en un reportaje publicado hoy en su website.

En el mismo entrevistan al entrenador Derek Thompson, cuyas atletas Raevyn Rogers and Ajee Wilson ganaron medallas de plata y bronce en el Mundial de Atletismo en Doha, Catar en septiembre pasado. Thompson destaca la envidiable posición que tiene Puerto Rico actualmente con tres semifondistas corriendo esa distancia entre los elites de todo el planeta.

Aquí un extracto de la reseña y la opinión del coach jamaiquino.


«« "Jamaica could once again have great runners at 800m.” That’s the view of Derek Thompson, the Jamaican who coached Raevyn Rogers and Ajee Wilson to silver and bronze medals in the women’s 800m at the recent World Championships in Doha, Qatar.

“I think the athletes are there,” Thompson said. “I truly, truly believe that the talented 800m runners are all over Jamaica.”

He highlighted the progress made in the event by Caribbean neighbours Puerto Rico. While Jamaica’s national record has stood at 1:45.21 minutes since 1977, Wesley Vazquez, Ryan Sanchez and Andres Arroyo all ran under 1:45.00 in 2019. Vazquez had a fine season in which he lowered the national record of 1:43.83 minutes before placing fifth in Doha. By contrast, Jamaica hasn’t even had a qualifier for the World Championships since Marvin Watts reached the semi-final in 2001.

“Put it this way,” Thompson contended, “If Puerto Rico can have three 800m runners clocking sub 1:45.00 minutes, Jamaica should have more than that.” »»

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