Sprinter Tahesia Harrigan, who will head to Europe today to continue her season. Photo: Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil—Sprinter Tahesia Harrigan who had a narrow fourth place finish in the 15^th Pan American Games women’s 100 meter dash on Tuesday night, is thanking the British Virgin Islands for its support in her quest to become the territory’s first medalist ever in the 24 year history of participating in the games.

“I’m really honored to represent the country and being among the first women here and to do a lot of things, and I really thank you for your support,” said Harrigan who departs for Europe this evening for two meets before taking a break to prepare for the World Championships in Osaka, Japan, Aug 25-Sept. 2. “I read a lot of the comments on a website before I competed and I knew that everyone was behind my back and I was grateful for that.”

When he was asked what she can take away from the Pan Am Games and build on into the World Championships and next year’s Olympic Games, Harrigan’s personal coach Sidney Cartwright who has worked with her for the last six years, said when an athlete is in medal hunt, something like this either makes you or break you.

“They have to learn to deal with the pressure that comes with being a high profile athlete, when the expectation of the country is behind you or expecting you to do some things,” he stated. “These are the times we learn to grow as athletes, to get over the hump, to keep moving ahead, because pressure is great, it’s phenomenal. Those of us who don’t handle it well, usually don’t stand on the podium and those of us handles it well will stand on the podium. There is no question in my mind, that in the Pan American region, she’s a medalist. It didn’t happen today, but, we’ll be back.”