Jessica Lewis couldn’t keep up with the competition in her 400 metres T53 final at the Parapan Am Games in Toronto last night.

A day after storming to gold in the 100, Lewis finished fifth in 1min 01.79sec yesterday in a race won in record time by Chelsea McClammer of the United States.

McClammer’s time of 56.54 was a new Games record, and was more than enough to secure her the gold medal ahead of compatriot Shirley Reilly, who finished in 58.64, and Jessica Frotten, of Canada, who posted a personal best of 1:01.13 to take bronze.

The result, however, could not detract from Lewis’s impressive performance of a day earlier, which earned her praise from across the Island, and the political divide.

Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, Minister of Community, Culture and Sports, offered her congratulations on behalf of the Bermuda Government.

“I was thrilled to hear the news of the record-setting win by Jessica at the Parapan Am Games,” Gordon-Pamplin said. “On behalf of the Government of Bermuda, I wish to congratulate Jessica on her outstanding and historic accomplishment.

“Jessica has always been an athlete to watch and now the world knows what she is capable of doing. We wish to thank Jessica for carrying the Bermuda flag so proudly.”

Michael Weeks, the Shadow Minister of Sport, added the Progressive Labour Party’s congratulations to those of Gordon-Pamplin.

“This magnificent achievement by Jessica shows what can be attained with hard work, dedication and ambition,” Weeks said. “We are proud of Jessica and her accomplishment and wish her continued success.”