Singaporean sprinter Shanti Pereira’s journey in the Paris Olympics concluded on Monday, August 5, as she failed to secure a spot in the 200m semifinals. Pereira clocked 23.45 seconds in the repechage heats, marking the end of her Olympic campaign.
Performance at Stade de France
Competing at the Stade de France, Pereira, known as Singapore’s sprint queen, finished last among seven competitors in her repechage heat. This outcome was disappointing for Pereira, who holds a personal best and national record of 22.57 seconds, with her season’s best being 23.17 seconds.
New Repechage Format Challenges
The repechage heats featured a new format where only the top athlete from each of the four heats qualified directly for the semifinals. Additionally, the next two fastest runners across all heats were able to advance. This change replaced the previous system that allowed athletes with the fastest remaining times to qualify. With six slots available for the semifinals, Pereira’s timing fell short of securing her advancement.
Challenges Faced Before the Olympics
This Olympic meet has been challenging for the Asian Games 200m gold medalist, whose preparation was severely impacted by a stress injury to her fibula. The injury curtailed her training and readiness for the Olympics, affecting her performance.
Disappointment in Preliminary Heats
Pereira also faced disappointment on Sunday, failing to automatically qualify for the semifinals in her initial 200m heat. She finished last out of eight competitors with a time of 23.21 seconds, placing her 31st out of 45 athletes overall.
Looking Forward
Despite the setbacks in Paris, Shanti Pereira’s achievements, including her Asian Games gold medal, highlight her talent and determination. As she recovers from her injury and reflects on her Olympic experience, Pereira will likely aim to return stronger and continue her sprinting career with renewed focus and determination.
Also learn about Amita Berthier Exits Paris Olympics After Close Match.
