The Puerto Rican sprinter Jasmine Camacho-Quinn arrived this Tuesday at Puerto Rico, where she was received with cheers and led a caravan through the metropolitan area, after taking the Olympic record and the gold medal in the 100-meter hurdles in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
“I cannot explain this moment. I am very grateful for all the support they have given me, ”said Camacho-Quinn upon arrival at the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, in San Juan, from the city of Orlando, Florida (USA), wearing his Olympic medal in the Japanese capital.
Camacho-Quinn, 24, won the second Olympic gold medal for Puerto Rico on August 1 by crossing the finish line in 12.37 seconds from the fifth lane.
In this way, Camacho-Quinn became the third Puerto Rican to win an Olympic gold medal. The most recent was the tennis player Mónica Puig in Rio de Janeiro 2016.
Puerto Rico welcomes gold medalist Jasmine Camacho Quinn. #QuinnDorada #WelcomeJasmine pic.twitter.com/TT5v3wAj1h
– Brandon Cruz González (@brandoncgonz) August 17, 2021
The first was also the tennis player Beatriz “Gigi” Fernández in women’s doubles in Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996, but playing for the United States.
In total, Puerto Rico has won 10 Olympic medals since its debut in London 1948.
Upon arrival on the island, Camacho-Quinn was congratulated by the governor of Puerto Rico, Pedro Pierluisi, and after leaving the plane, both were received by the music of pleneros, who chanted “I am a Puerto Rican so you know it.” .
#WelcomeJasmine • Governor Pedro Pierluisi receives Jasmine Camacho-Quinn at the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport 🇵🇷🥇🌺 pic.twitter.com/S3AMF6gLon
– NotiCentro (@NoticentroWAPA) August 17, 2021
After that meeting, Camacho-Quinn met her family, which included her mother, María Camacho, born and raised in Puerto Rico and that is why the athlete represents the island at the Olympic level.
“Thank you for the support you have given me,” said Camacho-Quinn, who before going to the Olympic final, broke the Olympic record of the event in the semifinal with 12.26 seconds.
The mark was held by the Australian Sally Pearson, when at the 2012 London Olympics she crossed the finish line in 12.35 seconds.
It was the first time that an athlete from Puerto Rico held an Olympic brand.
Jasmine camacho quinn @JCamachoQuinn #PrideBoricua ❤️🇵🇷❤️🇵🇷🌺🌺🌺🌺 pic.twitter.com/jIgtC5ArWx
– MamiWear (@MamiWear) August 17, 2021
After winning the gold medal, Camacho-Quinn rose to first place in the World Athletics rankings in the 100-meter hurdles category.
“Jasmine is an example of what it is to be Puerto Rican. His triumph is born from our hearts and aspirations. Our champion gave everything to win that medal. Having put up our flag is a great feat. His family carries the sport in their heart, their talent runs through their veins ”, Pierluisi highlighted.
“We will continue with Jasmine for the rest of her career. Now it has been proven once again that investing in these athletes is a great investment. This starts now. Jasmine is in her best moment and we are going to have a better investment for the next Olympics ”, the governor added.
Tokyo 2020 was Camacho-Quinn’s second Olympic Games.
His debut was in Rio de Janeiro 2016
However, in the semifinal five years ago, he knocked down a fence, landing on the track and did not complete the race.
“This year was one of redemption,” said the athlete at a press conference.
“This medal gave everyone a lot of joy and hope, especially the children for putting smiles on their faces. I am very grateful for all the love I have received ”, she highlighted.
The gratitude to which Camacho-Quinn also referred was for the support she received from the majority of Puerto Ricans who supported her despite the fact that she was not born in Puerto Rico or because she speaks Spanish, characteristics that some have criticized and rejected that she represented. to the island in Tokyo.
Entering Old San Juan, this is what part of the caravan that carried Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, Puerto Rico’s gold medalist in the Tokyo Olympics, looked like. #rafyriveradiaz #Puerto Rico # Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/IM8tMtZbeH
– Rafy Rivera (@RafyRiveraDiaz) August 17, 2021
“I have never denied where I come from. My mom always instilled in me that I am Puerto Rican and she taught me where we come from. It is a pride. We embrace the Puerto Rican side, ”he highlighted.
That Puerto Rican hug Camacho-Quinn also celebrated when he left the capital aerodrome with the music of Las Barrileras del 8m to the autochthonous rhythm of the bomba.
After completing the press conference, Camacho-Quinn led a caravan from the airport that continued along some of the main roads in San Juan until it culminated in Trujillo Alto, a neighboring municipality where the Olympic champion’s mother was raised.
The caravan was also joined by other members of the Puerto Rican delegation that competed in Tokyo 2020, including track and field athletes Ryan Sánchez and Andrés Arroyo, boxer Yankiel Rivera, fighter Franklin Gómez and skateboarder Steven Piñeiro.
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