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Chile celebrates first Pan-American Games gold medal

Xinhua, July 12, 2015 Adjust font size:

Despite a gray and stormy day in Santiago, Chile celebrated on Saturday the first gold medal won by female triathlon athlete Barbara Riveros at Toronto 2015 Pan-American Games.

Riveros won the triathlon competition with a time of one hour 57 minutes and 18 seconds, followed by Mexican Paola Diaz and Bermudian Flora Duffy who ended 29 and 30 seconds behind Riveros.

The Chilean television, radio and online media heaped praises for the country's first victory at the continental games.

"After the victory in Copa America (soccer competition where Chile defeated Argentina in the final game), our country celebrates this triathlon athlete who is full of tenacity and willpower. In Guadalajara 2011 she won silver medal and now she gave us the gold one," said Chilean sports experts quoted by Prensa Latina.

The Chilean Olympic Committee (COCH) also gave thumb-up to the success of Riveros, who is part of the 304-athlete delegation taking part in Toronto 2015 Pan-American Games.

Riveros was the first Chilean medal winner and with her victory, she got a direct ticket to Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games.

Riveros celebrated her medal and dedicated her victory to deceased fellow countryman Carlo de Gavardo, a Chilean Dakar Rally driver who died last month due to a heart attack and was her good friend.

"I dedicate the medal to him and his family," said Riveros. Endi