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Inspired Goule delivers promised gold

by

Rachid Parchment - Assistant Sports Editor
August 08, 2019
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Natoya Goule of Jamaica (left), and Deborah Rodriguez of Uruguay finish first and third, respectively, in the women’s 800m final at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, yesterday.
Natoya Goule of Jamaica (left), and Deborah Rodriguez of Uruguay finish first and third, respectively, in the women’s 800m final at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, yesterday.
Elaine Thompson of Jamaica celebrates winning the gold medal in the women’s 100m.
Elaine Thompson of Jamaica celebrates winning the gold medal in the women’s 100m.
Gold medallist Elaine Thompson of Jamaica waves, flanked by silver medallist Michelle-Lee Ahye of Trinidad and Tobago (left), and bronze medallist Vitoria Cristina Silva of Brazil at the podium for the women’s 100m during the athletics at the Pan American Games yesterday.
Gold medallist Elaine Thompson of Jamaica waves, flanked by silver medallist Michelle-Lee Ahye of Trinidad and Tobago (left), and bronze medallist Vitoria Cristina Silva of Brazil at the podium for the women’s 100m during the athletics at the Pan American Games yesterday.
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Lima, Peru:

Natoya Goule delivered on her promise of Pan Am Games glory by taking gold in the 800m race here at the Videna Sports Complex yesterday.

Goule ran an intelligent race, with a strong finish and overtook Cuba's Rose Mary Almanza just after coming off the final curve to win in 2:01.26 minutes. Almanza took the silver in 2:01.64 minutes, while Deborah Rodriguez's 2:01.66 secured a bronze medal for Uruguay.

After the race, she told STAR Sports that Fedrick Dacres, who took Pan Am Gold in the men's discus a day before, inspired her even further to victory.

"It feels good knowing that I was able to get a Pan Am Games gold medal for my country," she said. "We have pride for our country so to be able to come out here and get a gold after Fedrick defended his title, it's an honour."

Goule had concerns over her technique after the semi-final and wanted to improve it yesterday, however, she said the most important thing was just making sure she crossed the line first.

Come out victorious

"My technique was better today but I didn't position as well as I should've," she said. "But to come out victorious, I'm not even watching the time, because I just wanted to win. That felt a little easy so it was good."

Another inspiration for Goule, who now becomes the first Jamaican to medal in the event at the Games, was her friend Jazmine Fray, who crashed out at the semi-final stage. Goule had previously said that she intended to win gold in her honour.

"I feel good because she's here watching and she was happy for me, after I'm finished running so I'm really happy that she has a smile on her face," Goule said.

Jamaica also improved its medal count with Elaine Thompson claiming gold in the 100m final and Tajay Gayle taking silver in the men's long jump. The medal tally now stands at eight, consisting of three gold, three silver, and two bronze.

Jamaicans in action today:

Women's High Jump Final 3:20 p.m.

Sashane Hanson

Kimberly Williamson

Women's 200m Semi-Final

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce 3:30 p.m.

Schilloni Calvert-Powell 3:46 p.m.

Men's 200m Semi-Final

Julian Forte 4 p.m.

Andre Ewers 4:10 p.m.

Women's 100m Hurdles Final 4:45 p.m.

Yanique Thompson

Megan Tapper

Women's 400m Final 5:10 p.m.

Shericka Jackson

Men's 400m Final 5:20 p.m.

Demish Gaye

Women's 400m Hurdles Final 5:55

Rushell Clayton

Ronda Whyte

Men's 400m Hurdles Final 6:15 p.m.

Kemar Mowatt

Men's 4x100m Relay Semi-Final

Jamaica 6:40 p.m.

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