Guantanamo.- Cuban runner Omara Durand is the favorite to dominate in the 100 and 200 meters at the Paralympic Games. The world record holder in the distance with 11.40 seconds, a mark set in the Rio de Janeiro 2016 summer event, arrived in the French capital with eight gold medals won in the Olympics.
With a showcase full of awards that also includes 14 gold medals in World Championships and 12 in Parapan American Games, the Cuban legend told Prensa Latina that she was physically and mentally ready to face the challenge and win in the 100 and 200 meters.
She already won the gold medal in the 400 meters flat category T12, her first crown in the City of Light.
At the Stade de France, on a rainy morning day, the 32-year-old star athlete from the eastern province of Santiago de Cuba reached the finish line in 53.59 seconds, ahead of Iran’s Hajar Safarzadeh Ghahderijani (55.39) and Ukraine’s Oksana Boturchuk (55.67).
For Durand, accompanied by guide Yuniol Kindelán, this was her ninth gold medal in Paralympic Games, after those obtained in London 2012 (two), Rio de Janeiro 2016 (three) and Tokyo 2021 (three).
Translated by Liubis Balart
