Ecuador's Espinsoa claims first gold medal of Dakar 2026 with 400m freestyle victory

Little doubt about the ability of Elvira Espinosa. World Short Course Championships coming up in Beijing next year. But she is going to win the very first gold at the Youth Olympic Games of Dakar 2026 in the pool. Live with her. Someone like Ivana is going to, she didn't finish very well at all in that race, is going to wonder. Espinosa creates further history, not just in Dakar, but for her country. Elvira, four seconds, 4.22.87. Elvira Espinosa. This has been my greatest achievement so far and I know I have a lot more to learn, improve and correct but I want to continue doing it next to the people who are next to me, my coach, my parents. With all of them I want to keep learning and improving and live the sport, live swimming. She's on her own for gold now and gunning for victory in the first final of the day one. It's an idyllica who is going to go to the wall in a very comfortable time, sub 2.10, is it? Oh, 2.10! Servo 2.15, five and a half seconds back, but that was an outstanding swim this race. Not only did she lay down a new personal best, but she... I'm very happy, very happy. It's a dream come true, being that everything I've done so far, and everything they've done for me, is what got me to be here, and not only for the medal, but also for the time, so I thank everyone who put their little grain of sand so that I can be here and not only win, but also enjoy the tournament. She can hardly believe that she's just. Back to another second of what was the best time coming into it from Swims earlier this summer. I think I was there in the pre-race and I simply tried to enjoy the tournament, to have fun because I think that's what leads you to do your best time, your best things, to think about everything I did and everything I've done so far and everyone who helped me, I think that's it. Behind Muchirahondo, he's going to win gold, no doubt about this, for a historic gold. But it's going to be Ariel Machuru Hondo who's going to create history for New Zealand. He touches up two minutes, just out-touched Bostecki. Thank you. Thank you. But Muchir... On top of the podium for New Zealand, Aotearoa. It's just adrenaline, just adrenaline, shock, happiness. It's pretty tricky to describe it, but it just feels like, I don't know, I feel on top of the world, I'd say, yeah. ...took a meter off her as they came up. ...or battling for a silver here. It's going to be Fokina for gold. It is the 1981 champion, Serafima. ...for body length or more. Body length clear at this. Crikey, I may have blown this already just off the start. She didn't. She had enough. 60 seconds to secure the gold medal. Fokina has her first. And it's not every day you get a full-throated version of... Looks absolutely magnificent, this gold medal winner at the African Swimming Championships earlier in the year. Marlene Sixcalan. Absolutely outstanding. Seyed Ali of Egypt, only the second Egyptian gold medalist in silver and bronze goes to Matias Kristoff of Slovakia, who becomes the first Slovakian swimming medalist at the Youth Olympic Games in Slovakia. Coach Amir Gamal among those who will be celebrating this victory. Whichever version you prefer, because we're going to see a winner. I have the two around him. I mean, it was a pretty hard race. I worked hard, so hard. To be in that position, I'm just so grateful, so blessed for what I just did, and thank you all. And thank the people who were beside me, pushing me as hard as possibly can. That's it. Thank you.