Andorra's Five Athletes Compete in Taranto Mediterranean Games Athletics
Five runners from Andorra's Athletics Federation are taking part in athletics events at the Mediterranean Games in Italy. They follow recent medal success by Andorran petanque, gymnastics, and taekwondo athletes against world-class competition.
Key Points
- Duna Viñals raced in women's 400m hurdles heat with slowest qualifying time.
- Eloi Vilella competed in men's 400m hurdles, eager to face top rivals.
- Pol Moya ran 1,500m final, aiming to match his 2022 fifth place.
- Nahuel Carabaña and Ariadna Fanés up next in steeplechase and half-marathon.
Five athletes from Andorra's Athletics Federation (FAA) are competing at the Mediterranean Games in Taranto, Italy, after earlier successes by Andorran competitors in other sports.
Duna Viñals launched the athletics effort in the second heat of the women's 400m hurdles at 5:57pm on Sunday, facing the slowest qualifying time among five runners in her group and the second-slowest overall. The top three from each heat plus the next two fastest times advance to the final, scheduled for the following day. Eloi Vilella followed 20 minutes later in the men's 400m hurdles second heat, also holding the slowest entry time among 12 competitors. Vilella expressed enthusiasm, stating he was eager to race top rivals, display his season's efforts in this major finale, and elevate Andorra's name while gaining experience.
Pol Moya then competed in the 1,500m final at 7:15pm, entering with the eighth-best time among 15 runners. The mid-distance specialist, who placed fifth at the 2022 Mediterranean Games, had prepared specifically for the event with recent altitude sessions but noted a recent minor health setback. He aims to battle the frontrunners and match his prior result, confident of recovery in time for a strong performance.
Nahuel Carabaña is set for Tuesday's 3,000m steeplechase final, with Ariadna Fanés slated for Thursday morning's half-marathon.
These runners follow Andorra's petanque duo of Jon Fortes and Bruno Samtmann, gymnast Berta Miquel, and taekwondoin Naiara Liñán, who claimed a landmark bronze in the 49kg division.
FAA president Josep Maria Missé highlighted the significance of fielding five athletes from a small federation in a high-level event dominated by world-class nations. Moya and Carabaña, as veterans, target competitive outcomes against elite opposition, while Viñals and Vilella seek to build on their absolute category debuts internationally.
The Games run through the week, with Andorra's team chasing further strong performances.
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