Vincentians support Shafiqua’s history-making run at 2024 Olympics
by Christina Smith
August 5, at 3:45 p.m, Kingstown came to a standstill as Vincentians put work and errands on pause to support the country’s first athlete to ever make it to the final of an Olympics event.
In Richland Park, Arnos Vale, and at two locations in Kingstown, scores of people gathered for various watch parties as Shafiqua Maloney and the field of 2024 Paris Olympics 800m finalists took to the starting line for a race that will go down in the history books for St Vincent and the Grenadines.
At Heritage Square, the crowd gathered as early as 3. p.m and when the 25 year old Richland Park born came on the projector screen around 3:45 everyone erupted in cheers and applause.
Coming in with the fourth fastest time in the final, Maloney kept up with the leading pack during the race, much to the delight of the Kingstown crowd. When she made her move to secure a place on the medal podium, supporters screamed her name and egged her on as she neared the finish line.
She finished the race in a time of 1:57:66 to take fourth place. Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson took first place in a time of 1:56:72; Ethiopia’s Tsige Duguman placed second in 1:57:15; and Kenya’s Mary Moraa was third in 1:57:42.
THE VINCY FLAG was flying high in Heritage Square for Shafiqua Maloney’s run.
Despite not securing an Olympic medal, supporters said they are extremely proud of her performance on the world stage.
On social media as well, there have been a flood of posts from individuals, businesses, as well as government departments congratulating Shafiqua on her performance.
She posted to her Facebook page after the race thanking Vincentians for the support throughout her Olympic journey.
“What a climax to an Olympic experience!!! I am proud of the road I travelled to Paris, the journey was indeed filled with many challenges. At the end of it all, I left the stadium with a 4th place finish and a time of 1:57.66.Thank you for your support Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Next one up!!!
Minister, Orande Brewster, who has recently had the portfolio of Sports placed under his ministry, told SEARCHLIGHT that plans are underway to give Shafiqua a grand welcome home.
“She left it all on the track… she has shown the world what she is made of. Unfortunately, she did not medal but she is our champion here in St Vincent and the Grenadines.
This is a historic moment, and when she gets back to St Vincent and the Grenadines, a warm and a joyous welcome awaits her. She has moved St Vincent onto the world stage.”
The athlete has spoken openly on international media about her struggles to attain success on the track, including having to battle homelessness, lack of support from local businesses and government, lack of funds to pay her coaches, and challenges with securing the appropriate visa permits to stay in the USA.
Minister Brewster said the Sports Department has met to consider what options are available to boost support for local athletes.
“Up to this morning we met with the Sports Department and we had a thorough meeting about where we are and where we need to be. I have asked them to come up with projects and programmes that can shape many of our athletes here in St Vincent and support them in the near future.”
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