Qui��nez through to the final

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Athletics

20.08.2008 17:30

Qui��nez through to the final

Carles Cascante

Bar�a athletes are flying high. Jackson Qui��nez has qualified for the 110 metre hurdles thanks to a third place finish in his semi-final. The Ecuadorian born athlete will compete in his first Olympic final.

His success, added to that of Manuel Olmedo in reaching the 800 metres final, is fantastic news for the Bar�a athletics section. Qui��nez finished third in his semi-final with a time of 13.40 seconds behind the highly fancied David Oliver (USA) and Paro Poga (Poland). In the other semi-final, the other firm favourite Dayron Robles (Cuba) finished ahead of David Payne (USA).

First Spanish finalist in 24 years

Spanish 110 metre hurdles record holder Jackson Qui��nez is the first Spanish athlete to reach the final of this speciality for 24 years. Javier Moracho was the first in the 1980 Moscow Olympics while Bar�a’s own Carles Sala reached the final in Los Angeles in 1984. Both finished seventh.

Jackson: �Mission accomplished�

This is the second consecutive Olympic Games for Qui��nez, who previously represented his country of birth Ecuador. He told reporters: “The objective has been fulfilled. I came here ranked number 14 in the world and now I’m among the top 8.”

As for the final, Qui��nez hopes “to do a good time, perhaps go for the Spanish record, but from there on it’s mainly to dream. In a final you get strength from wherever you can. Some very important opponents are out and at the age of 28 it’ll be difficult to get another chance like this”.