Paris 2024: Spirited sprinters look to learn lessons for next Olympics

By Patrick Johnston

Singapore’s two sprinters are determined to bounce back stronger at the Los Angeles 2028 Games after injuries robbed them of their chance to make a significant impact in Paris.

Sprint queen Shanti Pereira rounded out Singapore’s involvement in the athletics on Monday by registering a time of 23.45 seconds in her repechage heat of the women’s 200m to finish 18th out of 24 overall, missing out on a place in the semi-finals.

Shanti, who ended a 49-year wait for an Asian Games track gold by winning the 200m in China last year, had her preparations for the Paris Games hugely impacted by a stress injury in her right leg, which also prevented her from competing in the prestigious Diamond League meetings prior to the Olympics.

Shanti Pereira, centre, dips as she crosses the line during her repechage heat of the women’s 200 metre sprint at the 2024 Paris Olympics.  Photo: Sport Singapore/Kong Chong Yew

Determined to fight on, Shanti pushed as hard as she could but the lack of pre-event racing was telling as she was unable to secure that much coveted semi-final spot.

“I’m sad. Not just today but the whole campaign, it is not what I wanted. Qualifying for it (Paris) last year, I was looking forward to much better results here. A semi-final at least. So I’m sad, heartbroken,” the 27-year-old said, trying in vain to hold back the tears.

She had entered the repechage, a new Olympic format for athletes who did not qualify directly for the semi-finals through the heats, after clocking 23.21 seconds in round one on Sunday, leaving her 31st out of 45 runners. Her personal best and national record stands at 22.57 seconds. 

Shanti Pereira reflects on her performance following her repechage heat of the women’s 200 metre sprint at the 2024 Paris Olympics.  Photo: Sport Singapore/Kong Chong Yew

“I’m just going to take this as a learning point, this is part of my journey, it's normal for a lot of people to be going through injuries. It happens to everyone, even the best of the best, I have to accept it's just part of the process,” she said 

“We all have to go through, which I have before, and will again. I know it's going to make me stronger.”

Shanti, who made her Olympic debut in the 200m at the Tokyo Games, began the Paris meet with a 11.63 second time in the first round of the women’s 100m on Friday, which left her 55th overall.

In the men’s 100m sprint, Marc Brian Louis was gearing up for first round action in a heat alongside defending Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs of Italy only to feel discomfort in his hamstring that forced him to withdraw.

Marc Brian Louis (left) races down lane four in the opening heat of the preliminary round of the men’s 100 metre sprint at the 2024 Paris Olympics.  Photo: Sport Singapore/Kong Chong Yew

Earlier on Saturday, Marc had taken part in the preliminary round, finishing third in his heat, just behind Gambia’s Ebrahima Camara and Muhammad Azeem Fahmi of Malaysia.

Although not in the top two, Marc advanced to the first round because his time of 10.43 seconds was one of the four fastest runners who had not qualified automatically. 

For 21-year-old Marc, Singapore’s national record holder at 60m and 100m, that was enough of a taste to want more.

“It’s a wonderful experience. I’m planning to race in Los Angeles 2028 so I'm excited for that and I'm going to do my best to be on form and qualify for the Games.”

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games takes place in Paris, France from 26 July to 11 August 2024. For the latest Team Singapore coverage and news, follow Team Singapore on their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) or visit the official Team Singapore website.