Sprinter Franco Reigns As He Completes Fairytale Games Story
By Jason Hamburger
It was a romantic ending to an already unbelievable story as Jessy Franco won gold for Gibraltar in the men’s 200 metres athletics with a time of 22.47 seconds.
The 20-year-old national record holder in this event finished the race superbly as he raced past Joe Chadwick from Guernsey to secure gold.
The story began many years ago when Franco’s parents met at the Faroe Islands Games in 1989 and later married. His father is Gibraltarian, and is also his coach, while his mother is a native of the Faroe Islands.
Franco was unable to compete in the Games two years ago because he was unwell so he was overjoyed to triumph in front of his home crowd and family.
He said: “I am feeling very excited because two years ago I could not compete in the Island Games because I was sick. So to come back two years on and represent my country and feel healthy and to win gold, it’s a privilege.
“It makes it very special because our friends and family, even our family from the Faroe Islands are here also to support me. So I thank them very much for coming down to support me.”
Jerai Torres narrowly missed out on securing another medal for Gibraltar, as he was just edged out on the line to finish fifth.
