Cuban Omara Durand to the semifinals of the 100 meter Paralympic race

Cuban sprinter Omara Durand clocked 11.87 seconds today on the Stade de France track in the hectometer race and qualified for the semifinals of the Paralympic Games in Paris.

Gold medalist in the lap of the oval, the T12 paratriathlete got the direct pass in her qualifying heat by arriving first at the finish line with her inseparable guide Yuniol Kindelán.

Ukraine's Oksana Boturchuk came in second place with a time of 12.33 seconds, followed by Venezuela's Alejandra Paola Perez (12.45) and Paraguay's Melissa Tillner (15.48).

Durand, world record holder in the distance with 11.40 seconds, a mark set in the Rio de Janeiro 2016 summer event, arrived in the French capital with eight gold medals won in the Olympics.

With a showcase full of awards that also includes 14 gold medals in World Championships and 12 in Parapan American Games, the Cuban legend told Prensa Latina that she was physically and mentally ready to face the challenge and win in the 100 and 200 meters.