SINGAPORE– The final days have been challenging for Singapore sprint queen Shanti Pereira. Despite failing to qualify automatically for the 200m semi-finals at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on Sunday (4 August), she still has a second chance through the repechage round on Monday.
Competing at the Stade de France, Pereira finished last in her heat with a time of 23.21 seconds. Only the top three athletes from each of the six heats qualified directly, and he was ranked 31st out of 45 competitors.
Pereira’s personal best, which is also a national record, is 22.57 seconds, while her season’s best is 23.17 seconds. With her best performance in the repechage round, she still has a chance to earn a ticket to the semifinals.
‘I really gave my best today,’ she said. ‘I was focused and ready, but the result was not in my favour.’
The repechage format is a new system that replaces the previous method, where only the athletes with the fastest remaining times could advance. It offers four heats with six slots into the semifinals.
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Pereira expressed his excitement for the repechage round: ‘It’s a second chance. I have nothing to lose. I will stay relaxed, focused, and give my best.’
Pereira’s achievements cannot be ignored. Last year, he made history at the Hangzhou Asian Games by winning gold in the 200 metres, Singapore’s first athletics gold medal since 1974. He also won silver in the 100 metres, ending a nearly 50-year wait for an athletics medal.
However, the journey to the Olympics was not easy. A stress injury to her fibula hampered her preparations. Nevertheless, Pereira remained optimistic. ‘I’m grateful that the injury happened early and not close to the Olympics. At least, I can still fight here.’
Support Shanti Pereira’s journey at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and enjoy full coverage at www.mewatch.sg/paris2024.
