Guatemala wins first Olympic gold medal in women's trap
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Loading... - Anselm Meyer
- 05 Aug 2024
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Adriana Ruano Oliva has made history by winning Guatemala's first-ever Olympic gold medal in the women's trap final at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. She achieved this monumental feat with a score of 45, setting a new Olympic record. This victory came shortly after Jean Pierre Brol Cardenas secured a bronze in the men’s trap final on July 30, marking Guatemala’s second Olympic medal.
Oliva's triumph is particularly significant as she became the first woman from Guatemala to win an Olympic medal. Amidst a jubilant crowd of Guatemalan fans, Oliva stood proudly on the podium with her gold medal. Italy’s Silvana Maria Stanco won the silver with a score of 40, while Penny Smith of Australia claimed the bronze.
Expressing her joy and disbelief, Oliva told Olympics.com, “I can’t even believe it’s for real. I’m so happy. I’m honored to be here, and it wasn’t easy to get here again. I want to thank Guatemala, and also my father.”
Oliva's journey to this moment has been marked by personal challenges and determination. Her father passed away in 2021, just weeks before the Tokyo Olympics, where she placed 26th in her event. Initially aspiring to be an Olympic gymnast, her career in gymnastics was abruptly ended by a severe spinal injury in 2011. An MRI revealed six damaged vertebrae, leading her to shift her focus to shooting, a sport that would not aggravate her injury.
“When I had my injury, I didn’t have anything. I started to get desperate, and I was frustrated. Then the door opened for me with this sport,” Oliva told AP News. In 2016, she even considered volunteering at the Rio Olympics to stay connected to sports. “I said to myself, 'If I can't be there as an athlete, maybe I can be there as a volunteer,’" she said. “They put me on shooting, and I was able to watch my teammates. I could see the competition, and that was the moment that inspired me to think, 'OK, maybe if not in gymnastics, I can do it in shooting.'"
Her perseverance and adaptability paid off, culminating in her historic gold medal in Paris. Oliva's story is an inspiring testament to overcoming personal adversity and achieving greatness, serving as a beacon of hope and motivation for future athletes in Guatemala.
