Santiago 2023 - Yarima Garcia wins Cuba's first Pan Am Games women's 100m since 1991

With the sun setting on the Andes, things were just heating up in athletics at the Pan American Games Santiago 2023 inside the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, as gold, silver and bronze were awarded in the women's 100m final.

Yarima Garcia of Cuba sprinted to a time of 11.36, taking the Pan American title and the gold medal. She held off Guyana's Jasmine Abrams (11.52), who took silver. Michelle-lee Ahye of Trinidad and Tobago was the bronze medallist at 11.53.

A hushed crowd waited as the field of eight sat in the blocks, readying for the start. Garcia took the lead by the halfway mark and didn't let up, cruising to the gold medal.

Well ahead of the field, Garcia clasped her hands over her mouth in disbelief as the realization of her win began to set in.

The victory is the first win for Cuba since Liliana Allen took the title at the 1991 Games in Havana.

Mexico's Cecilia Tamayo, who won her semi-final some 24 hours ago, finished eighth in the final.

posted Thursday November 2nd