Guatemala Aims for First Olympic Medal

GUATEMALA CITY (AFP) –Guatemala has sent 17 athletes to thismonth’s 2004 Summer Games in Athens,Greece, and is optimistic about its chancesof taking home the country’s first-everOlympic medal.The Guatemalan team is thought tohave its best chances of winning a medalin the martial art of Taekwondo, withthree athletes who have fared well recentlyin other international tournaments.Swimming sensation Gisela Morales,16, will have the honor of carrying theGuatemalan flag during the opening ceremonyAug. 12.Morales, who won three gold medalsduring the 2001 Central American games,is the youngest Guatemalan to ever participatein the Olympics, and the firstwoman to be given the honor of carryingthe country’s flag in the event.