Brazilian and Colombian swimmers surprise with double gold and record in Pan American Games swimming

Luque (Paraguay) (EFE).- The fifth day of the Junior Pan American Games taking place in Asunción saw a historic event this Wednesday as a tie was recorded in the women’s 50-meter freestyle event, awarding a gold medal to the participants from Brazil and Colombia.

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Brazilian Stephanie Balduccini and Colombian Isabella Bedoya clocked 25.42 seconds, which not only gave them the shared gold, but also meant a new junior Pan American record for the specialty. Pan American Games: Historic draw and ticket to Lima 2027 Furthermore, both earned the opportunity to compete in the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima. For Panam Sports, “the fact that two swimmers tie to the hundredth of a second in a final of this level, and that they also break the junior continental record, highlights the parity and the very high competitive level that youth swimming is experiencing in America.” Balduccini, a specialist in the 100-meter freestyle, finished sixth at the 2024 Doha World Championships and won a silver medal at the 2023 Pan American Games, hosted by Chile. The Brazilian woman, who will turn 21 this September 20th, learned to speak English before Portuguese. Bedoya adds gold 19 and revives legendary ties
Meanwhile, Isabella Bedoya was in charge of adding the 19th gold medal for Colombia in the Asunción games. Other backgrounds of ties in sports finals occurred in the men’s high jump at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, when the Italian Gianmarco Tamberi and the Qatari Mutaz Essa Barshim tied in the final. Brazilian Stephanie Balduccini (d), gold medalist, and Colombian Isabella Bedoya, gold medalist, pose on the podium for the women’s 50-meter freestyle swimming event during the Pan American Games. EFE/ Agencia Xpressmedia / Panam Sports
After several attempts and after clearing the same height (2.37 meters), the judge offered them the possibility of a tiebreaker. Both athletes, in a gesture of great sportsmanship, decided not to continue and share the gold medal. In the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, American swimmer Carrie Steinseifer won the gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle, with a time of 55.92 seconds, tied with her compatriot Nancy Hogshead, both ahead of the Dutch Annemarie Verstappen (bronze with 56.08 seconds). Rio 2016: Shared Gold and Olympic Record
At Rio 2016, Canadian Penny Oleksiak and American Simone Manuel also tied in the 100-meter freestyle, and were awarded two gold medals. Both swimmers recorded a time of 52.70 seconds, setting a new Olympic record. This tie marked a milestone for both countries and for the history of the Olympic Games. The II Junior Pan American Games feature the participation of more than 4,000 athletes from 41 countries in the Americas, all members of the Pan American Sports Organization, who compete in 28 sports and 42 disciplines.