Sunday, November 5th, 2023.- Joselyn Brea was undoubtedly the standout figure in Venezuelan athletics at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games, where she crowned herself champion in the 1,500 and 5,000 meters on the track of the Estadio Nacional.

Brea, who was her country's flag bearer at the opening ceremony, entered the games in the Chilean capital as a triple gold medalist from the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games at San Salvador, where she excelled in the 1,500, 5,000, and half marathon events.

With her two gold medals at Santiago 2023, Joselyn Brea concludes a spectacular 2023. In addition to her three titles at San Salvador, last May, she set a South American record with a time of 14'47.76 in the 5,000 meters during a Diamond League event in the United States. Her new record surpassed the 15'22.01 mark held by the Brazilian athlete Carmen Oliveira since 1994, making Brea the first South American woman to run the 5,000 meters in under 15 minutes.

Before pursuing a career in athletics, the Venezuelan long-distance runner participated in triathlon and duathlon, where she became a three-time world champion in the latter.

Brea and part of her family had to leave Venezuela due to economic difficulties. She settled in Spain, while her father relocated to Chile, where they reunited after six years apart.

Written by Marcelo López; translated by Rocio Rojas / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport
Ph: Alejandro Pagni / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport