BUENOS AIRES, Oct. 9-- It is not all about winning medals at the Youth Olympic Games. Although weightlifter Ellie Pryor of Britain missed out on the podium in the Europa Pavilion on Tuesday, she knows she will be taking home an enduring friendship. As she finished in sixth place in the women's 53kg, the Briton had vocal support from fellow lifter Sandra Mensimah Owusu of Ghana. The pair connected on social media three weeks ago and have built a strong bond since meeting in Buenos Aires. "I followed her on Instagram by accident and came to know she is also a lifter," said 16-year-old Owusu, who competes in the 58kg category. "I asked her whether she would come to Buenos Aires for YOG and she said yes. It is such a destiny that ties us together." "The day we met each other in Argentina was Ellie's birthday. I recognised her in the dining hall of the Olympic village and asked, 'Are you Ellie?' We were all happy and laughing." Pryor, who turned 17 on October 3, regrets that she will not be able to offer her own support to Owusu when the Ghanaian competes on Thursday, as she will have returned to Britain. However, she dreams of an Olympic reunion closer to home. "My future goal is Paris 2024," Pryor said. "I train five to 10 times a week, sometimes twice a day. But when you get out there [to perform] it is all worthwhile." The top of the standings in the women's 53kg featured a close fight between Sabina Baltag of Romania and Colombian lifter Kely Valentina Junkar Acero. |