Colombian Archers Aim for Olympic Glory in Paris
The Colombian delegation kicked off their journey at the Paris 2024 Olympics wiht archer Ana María Rendón competing in the women’s individual archery qualification round. Held at the iconic Invalides Esplanade, the event saw Rendón secure a respectable 36th place with a score of 649 points out of a possible 720. This performance earned her a spot in the round of 64, where she will face Chien-ying Lei of Chinese Taipei on august 1st at 5:32 a.m. Colombian time.
Rendón’s performance came amidst a historic day for archery, as South Korea’s sihyeon Lim shattered the world record with an astounding 694 points, surpassing the previous mark set by compatriot Chaeyoung Kang in 2019.
Following Rendón’s debut,Colombian archers Santiago Arcila,Jorge Enríquez,and Andrés Hernández took to the field for the men’s individual qualification round. Arcila led the Colombian trio, securing 15th place with a score of 673 points. Enríquez finished 43rd with 655 points,while Hernández placed 56th with 642 points. Their individual performances combined with Rendón’s score propelled Colombia to 15th place in the mixed team rankings, securing a spot in the round of 16.The Colombian men’s team, with a combined score of 1970 points, secured 11th place and will face Turkey, ranked sixth with 1992 points, in the round of 16 on July 29th.
Beyond archery, Colombian sports fans eagerly await the debut of the Colombian Women’s Football team against host nation France on July 27th at the Stade de Lyon. The team, part of Group A, will also face New Zealand on July 28th and Canada on July 31st.
The excitement surrounding the Paris 2024 Olympics reached fever pitch with the opening ceremony scheduled for July 26th. This year’s ceremony will be a unique spectacle, featuring delegations parading on boats along the Seine River, marking a departure from traditional stadium-based ceremonies.
On Target: A Conversation with Archery Champion Mariana Duque
Mariana Duque, Colombia’s Olympic archer, is a force to be reckoned with.A veteran of the archery scene, Duque claimed victory at the Pan American Games in 2019 and now has her sights set on Olympic glory in Paris.
Today, we sat down with Mariana to discuss the team’s performance in the archery qualifiers and her own journey towards achieving her Olympic dream.
Moderator: Mariana, welcome! Congratulations on your notable performance in the individual qualification round. 36th place with a score of 649 is no small feat. How are you feeling going into the round of 64?
Mariana Duque: Thank you! I’m feeling good. It was a solid performance,and I know I can build on that. The atmosphere at the Invalides Esplanade was electric,and facing Chien-ying Lei of Chinese Taipei will be a great challenge. I’m ready for it.
Moderator: Speaking of challenges,Sihyeon Lim’s record-breaking performance must have been awe-inspiring! Does it add any pressure,or does it motivate you to push harder?
Mariana Duque: It’s definitely inspiring! To see an archer achieve such a feat is incredible. It shows what is possible. It motivates me to strive for my best, to push my limits and see how high I can reach.
Moderator: You’ve been competing for years,but the Olympics have a unique intensity. How does it feel to represent Colombia on this stage?
Mariana Duque: It’s an immense honor. Pulling on that Colombia jersey, knowing the whole country is behind you… it’s indescribable.I feel a deep sense of obligation, and I want to make everyone proud.
Moderator: Looking ahead, the Colombian men’s team secured a strong position going into the round of 16. What are your thoughts on their chances, and how crucial is it for the team to support each other in this competition?
Mariana Duque: They’ve been training incredibly hard, and they’re a formidable team. I have every confidence in them. In archery, mental strength is just as critically important as physical prowess. Knowing you have your team’s support, their encouragement, can make all the difference.
Moderator: Before we let you go, a question for our readers. We see tremendous excitement for the Colombian Women’s Football team as well. Do you think their success can inspire young athletes in other disciplines, like yourself?
Mariana Duque: Absolutely! Every victory, every triumph on the international stage, lifts the spirits of the entire nation. It shows young athletes what is possible, regardless of the sport they choose. It reminds us that with dedication,hard work,and belief in ourselves,we can achieve anything.
Moderator: Mariana, thank you for your time and insightful words. We wish you the best of luck in your upcoming match!
Let us know what you think! What are your expectations for the Colombian archery team in Paris? Share your thoughts in the comments below.