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Puerto Rico: Javier Culson Wins Historic Bronze Medal

Categories: Latin America, Puerto Rico (U.S.), Breaking News, Citizen Media, Sport, Olympics

This post is part of our special coverage London 2012 Olympics [1].

The Olympic athlete Javier Culson (@JavierCulson [2]) has made history by winning the bronze medal in the 400 metre hurdle event in the London 2012 Olympic Games.  This is the first Olympic medal ever to be won by an athlete from Puerto Rico in an event other than boxing.  With Culson's medal, Puerto Rico now has a total of seven Olympic medals:  six bronze and one silver.  This is also the first medal won by an athlete from Puerto Rico since the 1996 Olympics.  The Caribbean region was jubilant as the Dominican Félix Sánchez “Super Félix” won the gold medal [3] in the same event.

Culson was one of the favorites to win the gold medal in the 400 metre hurdle event.  In second place, and winning the silver medal, came Michael Tinsley from the United States of America.

Javier Culson won the bronze medal in the 400m hurdles in London (archive photo). Photo by Quique Aparicio, courtesy of the Olympic Committee of Puerto Rico.

The bronze medal was something of a bitter-sweet victory for Puerto Ricans.  Although their athlete was unable to win the much coveted gold medal for the country, they were far from disappointed and expressed their joy at Culson's medal via Twitter:

@hiramart [4]:¿Falló Culson? Yo lo ví en el podio y tenía una medalla, que hasta donde sé, es la única de Puerto Rico.

@hiramart [4]: A failure for Culson?  I saw him on the podium and he was wearing a medal, which as far as I know is the only one for Puerto Rico.

@Flamencole [5]@JavierCulson [2] como quiera que sea hiciste historia!

@Flamencole [5]@JavierCulson [2] however you did it, you have made history! #PuertoRicoEstaContigo [6] (Puerto Rico is with you)

@adriibabiix3 [7]: Estoy mas q.orgullosa qk @JavierCulson [2] puso a PR en.alto. Lograste unir nuestra.isla por algo positivo de pura sepa

@adriibabiix3 [7]: I am more than proud that @JavierCulson [2] has put Puerto Rico on the map. You have united our nation through something positive, a true Puerto Rican.

@hilda920 [8]: Gracias Culson! “@csantarrosa [9]: ¡Orgulloso de nuestro @JavierCulson [2], pa’ lante caballo!! Gracias por poner el nombre de Puerto Rico en alto!”

@hilda920 [8]Thank you Culson! “@csantarrosa [9]: Proud of our @JavierCulson [2], keep going strong!! Thank you for putting Puerto Rico on the map!”

@exorKshii58_PR [10]@JavierCulson [2] orgulloso de tu logro y de poner nuestra islita en lo mas alto…para nosotros si t ganastes la de #ORO [11] caballete exito :)

@exorKshii58_PR [10]@JavierCulson [2] proud of your achievement and of showing off our little island…for us it's as if you won the #ORO [11] (gold) well done! :)

The Puerto Rican basketball player José Juan Barea also showed his support for Culson:

@jjbareapr [12]@JavierCulson [2] felicidades tremendo trabajo voy a ti siempre …coqui

@jjbareapr [12]@JavierCulson [2] congratulations tremendous work supporting you always …coqui

Another historic event for Puerto Rico

The gymnast Tommy Ramos (@TommyRamos_pur [13]) became the first Puerto Rican to compete in the rings event, finishing with a score of 15.6.  Although he did not win a medal (he finished in sixth place), never before has a Puerto Rican progressed so far in a gymnastics event.

 

This post is part of our special coverage London 2012 Olympics [1].