Parapan Am Games champion Jessica Lewis has been praised as an “inspiration” and “beacon of light for our country” by Michael Dunkley.

He met Lewis — who shattered the Parapan Am record with a time of 17.67sec in the 100-metre final in Toronto last week — at the Cabinet Office, where she discussed her victory and making history as the first Bermudian to win a medal at a major international para-sports competition.

Mr Dunkley presented the athlete with flowers and officially congratulated her on winning the gold, praising her “commitment to excellence”.

“Jessica truly has captured the hearts and minds of all of Bermuda with her amazing win at the Parapan Games and I really enjoyed hearing her recount her experience of winning the gold medal,” Mr Dunkley said.

“I shared with Jessica that I admired her competitive spirit and that she truly is an inspiration to us all.

“Her achievement has been like a beacon of light for our country and all of Bermuda should be proud of her accomplishment.”

Also congratulating Lewis were Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, the Minister of Community, Culture and Sports; Nandi Outerbridge, the Junior Minister of Community, Culture and Sports; and Senator Jeff Baron, the Junior Minister for National Security.