USA qualifies women’s team to Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Colombia

Casey Kaufhold, Catalina Gnoriega and Jennifer Mucino-Fernandez won the USA a team ticket to the Paris 2024 Olympics – with a little assist from Mexico – by making the recurve women’s team final today at the Pan American Championships in Medellin, Colombia.

The winner at this event qualifies for the Games but since the Mexican squad already has a ticket (from the world championships), it would be reallocated down to second place.

“I think I can speak for all of us when I say we’re super happy, super relieved to have qualified a place for Paris 2024,” said Kaufhold. “We shot really well as Team USA today.”

Mexico beat Brazil in their semifinal, on the right side of the field, in three sets.

The USA had a lead over Colombia, 4-2, and as they stepped onto the line for the start of the fourth set, both teams knew exactly what was at stake.

World number one Kaufhold was left with five seconds on the clock.

She delivered the winning arrow – a 10 – and secured the Olympic quota, the USA beating Colombia 53-51 in the set and 6-2 in the match.

“I looked at the clock, she’s on the line, 10 seconds, and then five, four… As always she made an excellent shot at the last moment,” said Mucino-Fernandez. “I don’t think I could ever do that. It’s what we needed.”

Olympic team spot secure, the USA will face Mexico on Sunday morning for the Pan Am title.

Kaufhold had already qualified the USA an individual quota by finishing fourth at last year’s Hyundai World Archery Championships in Berlin. That place will not be reassigned but made available at the final qualifier.

USA trials are ongoing and the team that fills these new places will be announced later.

There is one more Olympic team ticket to award in Medellin.

It will go to the winner of the recurve men’s final between Colombia and Canada, which will also take place on Sunday morning.

Live coverage is available to watch worldwide with a subscription to archery+.

Olympic quotas won in Medellin

• Canada: 1 (1 woman)
• Colombia: 1 (1 man)
• Puerto Rico: 1 (1 woman)
• USA: 3 (3 women)
• US Virgin Islands: 1 (1 man)