Hours after this post was published, Jackeline Rentería won Colombia’s sixth medal at the London 2012 Olympics. Rentería won a bronze medal in wrestling.
In the history of Colombia in the Olympic Games, London 2012 has consolidated itself as the year of the country’s best Olympic performance. This delegation has exceeded what was achieved in Munich 1972, where Colombia obtained one silver medal and two bronze, and even Sidney 2000, when Colombia received its only gold medal in weightlifting by Maria Isabel Urrutia.
This time Colombia sent a delegation of more than 100 athletes, in which the women’s delegation [es] made up the highest percentage in the Americas (57.8). Up until now the women in the delegation had obtained a bronze medal in judo by the judoka Yuri Alvear and a silver medal in triple jump by the athlete Caterine Ibarguen. [Editor’s note: See update above]. The men in the Colombian delegation have met their wining quota with a bronze medal won by Oscar Muñoz [es] in taekwondo, 58 kilos, and two silver medals: one obtained by Rigoberto Uran in road racing, and the other by Óscar Figueroa in weight lifting with an Olympic record of 177 kg.
Spirits are high with the hope of a possible gold medal from the cyclist Mariana Pajón, with which Colombia would secure its position between the top 30 on the medal charts and would exceed the experst’ forecasts.
These five medals have inspired excitement among the people, who have shared their joy on the Internet in light of their athletes’ good performance. Social networks have also contributed reports, pictures, and various expressions.
