Panama in the 2024 Paris Olympics
Panama will compete at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris from 26 July to 11 August 2024. This is the nation’s nineteenth appearance at the Summer Olympics, since its debut in 1928.
There are athletes representing the country of Panama in the categories of Athletics, Boxing, Cycling, Gymnastics, Judo and Swimming.
Panamanian track and field athletes achieved the entry standards for Paris 2024, either by passing the direct qualifying mark (or time for track and road races) or by world ranking.
Panama entered one boxer into the Olympic tournament. Atheyna Bylon qualified for Paris by advancing to the women’s 75kg final, at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile.
Panama entered one male rider to compete in the men’s road race events at the Olympic, after secured those quota through the UCI Nation Ranking.
In Artistic Gymnastics for the first time since 2016, Panama entered one female gymnasts into the games. Hillary Heron qualified for the games by virtue of her individual results, through all-around event at the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp, Belgium.
Panama’s Hillary Heron 20, become the first gymnast other than Biles to compete one of the five elements named for the American in the sport’s code of points at the Olympic Games.
“She’s an inspiration, not only for me, for many gymnasts and being able to compete one of her skills at the World Championships and now on the Olympic stage definitely means a lot to me,” Heron told Olympics.com afterward. “It shows the impact that she has not only in gymnastics but in sports.
“When I was in the warm-up, she told me she loved my leo,” Heron continued, before noting that her Olympic uniform includes nods to her nation’s typical dress, flower and more. “Definitely that was an ego boost.”
The Panama City-native was a crowd favourite inside Bercy Arena Sunday, as they roared to support her dynamic floor routine.
“I think it’s the floor routine of my life, just so much work that has gone into that floor that many people wouldn’t believe, hours and hour and hours and trusting myself,” said Heron. “I couldn’t believe I had done it, and I had done it just as I imagined it when I was four years old.”
It’s a moment that has Heron wanting more.
“Definitely I want more Olympics,” she said. “This is the start of my career. I’m just very, very motivated for what’s to come next.
In Judo Panama qualified one judoka for the following weight class at the Games. Kristine Jiménez (women’s lightweight, 57 kg) qualified via continental quota based on Olympic point rankings.
Finally, Panama sent two swimmers to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Tyler Christianson Men’s 200 m breaststroke 2:15.62 22 Did not advance
Emily Santos Women’s 100 m breaststroke 1:09.94 30 Did not advance
