Vincentian in Paralympic Games

St Vincent and the Grenadines may not have made any impact on the London 2012 Olympic Games, but the country’s name has been highlighted in the London 2012 Paralympic Games, as Vincentian-born Braedon Dolfo,{{more}} who has glaucoma and chronic uveitis, competing for Canada, finished seventh in the finals of the men’s 100m.

Dolfo, adopted several years ago, just 18 years old, the youngest participant in the finals, was particularly pleased with his performance. Elatedly, he declared “To finish seventh in the world is a blessing.

It’s just amazing to get on the same track as [Smyth]. To be able to run with him and the other guys that came here, what a great stage to run on. Can’t be any happier.” (gkingston@vancouversun.com).

According to Dolfo, Jason Smyth set a really high standard for everybody. He’s like the Usain Bolt of the paralympics (gkingston@vancouversun.com).

Dolfo set a personal best and new Canadian record of 11.26 secs for the 100m in the heats earlier, but just failed to better it in the finals where he recorded 11.27secs.

The young athlete feels confident that he would eventually prove himself to be among the best in the world, given his age, compared to his fellow finalists.

“Since I’m the youngest, by the time I get to my peak, half these guys [in the final] will have finished their prime. I’m just ready to take their place and see what I can do from there (gkingston@vancouversun.com),” Doflo stated.

Ireland’s Jason Smyth, who is visually impaired and aged 25, broke his own world record for the T13 class by clocking a time of 10.46 seconds Saturday in winning the gold medal.

Cuban Luis Felipe Gutierrez took the silver in a season-best time of 11.02, while Jonathan Ntutu of South Africa was third in 11.03.