By The Star Staff
Hurdler Jasmine Camacho-Quinn on Saturday became the first athlete to win double Olympic medals in the same event for Puerto Rico.
The Puerto Rico flag bearer won a bronze medal at the Paris Games in the women’s 100-meter hurdles after winning gold in the same event in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
“I am grateful to have a medal,” Camacho-Quinn said in a written statement. “Of course, it was not the one I wanted.”
The 27-year-old resident of Orlando, Florida crossed the finish line with a time of 12.36 seconds for third place, behind gold medalist Masai Russell of the U.S. with a time of 12.33 and silver medalist Cyréna Samba-Mayela of France (12.34 seconds).
“I felt anxious on the block,” Camacho-Quinn said. “It’s a final, so I was trying to get a good reaction to get into the race. I had a slow start, leaving the block a little slow, but I’m happy to have come away with a medal.”
“I know I still have a lot to do, but I’m happy to have won a medal here,” she added. “It’s my fourth medal for Puerto Rico [referring to her two medals at the World Championships and the Olympic gold medal]. I’ve been the most consistent hurdler; I don’t give up.”
Camacho-Quinn earned the two world medals in Budapest 2023 (silver) and in Eugene, Oregon in 2022 (bronze). In addition, she represented Puerto Rico at the Central American and Caribbean Games San Salvador 2023, where she won a gold medal, setting the record for those Games of 12.60 seconds and punching her Olympic ticket for Paris 2024.
“The hurdles have changed and I knew what I was up against,” Camacho-Quinn said. “Honestly, I wanted to be the first to repeat [the gold medal]. But as I said, I’m leaving with another medal; I’m grateful.”
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