Oscar Ticas finally achieved his Olympic dream by winning two matches.
The 37-year-old booked a spot for Rio 2016 eight years ago at the continental qualifiers in Medellin, but then failed a doping test and was banned for one year, meaning he will not be able to compete at the Olympics. There wasn't. He returned to the Colombian city. This time he has his sights set on Paris in 2024.
“I'm overwhelmed. I'm one step closer to realizing the Olympic dream that was taken away from me a few years ago,” he said after reaching the men's recurve quarterfinals today.
“I’m very happy to be able to compete again and have the opportunity to earn a spot.”
Ticas, three Colombians, and shooters from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Argentina, Bermuda and Cuba, continue their search for one of the two Olympic spots tomorrow. Each country can only get a maximum of one slot.
“Today was the first of two steps to qualify for the Olympics. These are two very important days as I work towards my quota,” he continued. “Today was the first step towards my Olympic dream.”
Top seed Nicolas D'Amour (U.S. Virgin Islands) remains in the competition, as does Kristin Essebua in the women's recurve event.
She is one of three Canadian shooters vying for a spot tomorrow, along with candidates from Chile, Puerto Rico, Ecuador and Cuba.
Tuesday's final of the Americas Qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be available to watch around the world with a subscription. archery+.
