Here’s a look at the results of the Tico delegation in the London Summer Olympic Games. Two athletes remain, both scheduled to race Sunday morning.
Laura Meza
100 Meter Butterfly
Finish: Eliminated in qualifying heat
One of two Costa Ricans to contend on the first day of the Games and the youngest athlete representing the country, Meza failed to keep up with the competition. She not only placed last in her qualifying heat, but Meza’s time put her last out of all participants in the 100-meter butterfly.
Meza left the Olympics seething about her weak performance. The 21-year-old promised to give a better show at the Central American Games in 2013, to be hosted in San José. “I am very angry with the result, but I can’t throw up my arms and give up,” Meza said. “I am 21 and have the world ahead of me.”
Mario Montoya
200 Meter Freestyle
Finish: Eliminated in qualifying heat
The 22-year-old Montoya participated in the Beijing Games in 2008 as a teen. Four years later, he returned to the Olympics, but his swim time wasn’t strong enough to advance him beyond the first round.
Andrey Amador
Men’s Road Race
Finish: 35th
The cyclist showcased notable performances throughout the year, including winning a stage of the Tour de Italy in the lead- up to the Olympics. In London, Amador, 25, finished in the middle of the pack in the men’s road race during the first day of competition.
Osman Murillo
Judo, 73 Kg
Finish: Eliminated in preliminary round
In his first Summer Games, 23-year-old Murillo fell in the first fight against Egyptian Hauseen Afizh.
Gabriela Traña
Women’s Marathon
Finish: 91st
Traña arrived as Costa Rica’s oldest participant and received the honor of bearing the flag at opening ceremonies. The 32-year-old once won the famous Walt Disney World Marathon, and she also raced in Beijing. At her final Olympic event, she placed 91st out of 107 finishers.
Nery Brenes
400 Meter Sprint
Finish: Eliminated in qualifying heat
Perhaps the pressure heaped on him by media and supporters was too much. Or maybe an ankle injury he suffered in Colombia while training last month hobbled him. Nonetheless, Brenes’ showing at his second Olympics was a clear disappointment. The 26-year-old Limonense made the semifinals of his event in 2008, finishing 10th overall. Many believed the world champion indoor runner could outdo that performance in London. Instead he finished fourth in his qualifying heat, 0.04 of a second short of a spot in the semifinals.
Sharolyn Scott
400 Meter Hurdles
Finish: Eliminated in qualifying heat
Like Brenes, the 28-year-old Scott grew up in Limón and struggled to receive support from the Costa Rican Olympic Committee. She broke a Central American record while racing in Germany to qualify for the Olympics last May. In London, Scott finished 6th in the qualifying heat.
Leo Chacón
Triathlon
Finish: 48th
Chacón’s recovery from a crash early on in the cycling portion of the triathlon transformed the 28-year-old into a hero for Costa Rican fans. Bruised, battered and bleeding, Chacón still reached the finish line ahead of six other finishers.
Heiner Oviedo
Taekwondo, 58 kg
Finish: Eliminated in qualifying round
At 23, Oviedo has a bright future ahead after a strong string of performances leading up to his Summer Games qualification. However, in his first Olympic match, Oviedo faced a dangerous challenger in European champion Alexey Denisenko. The Russian vanquished Oviedo and later won bronze.
César Lizano
Men’s Marathon
Finish: 65th
Lizano, running on the final day of the Summer Games, was no match for the speedy Africans on the course. Ugandan Stephen Kiprotich won the country’s first medal in 40 years. Two Kenyan runners finished second and third.
Paolo Montoya
Cycling – Mountain Bike
Finish: 36th
The last Costa Rican athlete to race in the Olympics, Montoya finished 12 minutes and 12 seconds off the leader Jaroslav Kulhavy, from the Czech Republic.
