Canadian Andrea Rushton (right) blocks a shot by Jamaica's Nicole Grant during their women's field hockey match at the XIV Pan American Games in Santo Domingo yesterday. Canada won 3-0. - Reuters JAMAICA'S HOPES of overhauling the 13 medals they picked up in Winnipeg, Canada four years ago seem a far way off.
After four days of action - one in track & field, Jamaica are yet to distinguish themselves at the XIV Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
The women's hockey team is all but out of contention after losing its second Pool B game yesterday 3-0 to Canada. The North American country got their goals from Emily Rix (11th minute), Dana A'Breo (30th) and Andrea Rushton (50th). On Sunday, the Michelle Holt-coached girls were brushed aside 5-0 by the United States. The loss means they have to beat Uruguay tomorrow to avoid playing defending champions Argentina when the play-offs begin on Sunday.
GRANT FAILED TO MEDAL
On yesterday's opening day of athletics, sprinters Michael Frater and Kudyth Kitson booked their place in today's 100m final while Debbie-Ann Parris and Allison Beckford are through to tomorrow's 400m hurdles medal round.
Natalie Grant, who had a best throw of 59.99m, failed to medal in the hammer throw final.
Frater clocked a moderate 10.39 seconds for second place, the same time as Brazil's Edson Ribero who finished behind winner Mickey Grimes (10.20) of the United States, in semi-final one. Frater earlier returned 10.34 for second in his heat.
Jamaica's other competitor in the men's 100m, Sheldon Morant, who won his heat, suffered at the start of the semis and could only manage fifth in a race won by Marcelle Scales of the US (10.33).
FREAK ACCIDENT
In the women's 100m event, Jamaica only fielded one competitor, Kitson. The other should have been Kerron Stewart but the 2001 World Youth Championships silver medallist failed to show for the start following a freak accident in which she injured herself.
Kitson's 11.71 third in semi-final three got her into the finals as one of the fastest losers. However, she lines up today with the slowest time behind leaders Lauryn Williams of the US (11.53), Vergen Benavidas of Cuba (11.40) and Trinidad and Tobago's Fona Ashby (11.56).
National champion Allison Beckford and runner-up Debbie-Ann Parris scraped through to Friday's final of the 400m hurdles. Parris, who took third spot, is the better placed Jamaican having recorded 55.97 in her semi-final while Beckford's 56.85 gave her a berth in the finals as one of the fastest losers.
Today will see Jamaica competing in shooting, tennis and athletics.
