“We are here to accompany the athletes, so that they feel close to their Ministry of Sports and their Government. We are here to monitor how this coordination and logistics (of the COE) is happening. Unfortunately, we have seen things that call our attention, we are worried and indignant,” confirmed Palácios, through a video posted on social networks.
Ecuador’s Sports Minister, Sabastián Palácios, expressed support for cyclist Richard Carapaz, gold medalist in Tokyo’2020, after criticism directed at the Olympic Committee, due to the lack of support for athletes from that South American country.
Sabastián Palácios, who accompanies an Ecuadorian delegation in Tokyo, Japan, confessed that he has seen things that draw attention, worry and indignation, something that is in line with what the Olympic medalist in the men’s road cycling competition revealed after winning the gold.
“I was an athlete who came almost without support. The country never believed in me and the medal is mine and that of the few people who always supported me,” said Carapaz at the time.
The Olympic Committee is “responsible for the tickets, for coordinating the trip, receiving the athletes in the Olympic village, in other words, taking care of all the logistics for the athletes in the Olympic Games”, recalled Palácios.
However, the Minister of Sports expressed indignation at the “lack of coaches, of a multidisciplinary team with athletes and all those people”.
“We are here to accompany the athletes, so that they feel close to their Ministry of Sports and their Government. We are here to monitor how this coordination and logistics (of the COE) is happening. Unfortunately, we have seen things that call our attention, we are worried and indignant,” confirmed Palácios, through a video posted on social networks.
He added: “After having lived through one of the most incredible moments in the history of Ecuadorian sport, to feel proud of the achievement and triumph of Richard Carapaz, and after his statements, which I understand and share, you should know some things about Ecuador’s participation in the Olympic Games”.
In turn, the COE, through a statement signed by President Augusto Morán, realized that its mission is to “promote and support the protection” of athletes in this type of competition, adding, for example, that the cyclist has arrived in the Japanese capital through the management carried out by the organization.
The President of Ecuador, Guillermo Lasso, also said, after learning about Carapaz’s statements, that for his government it is “a priority to accompany Ecuadorian athletes in victories and defeats”.
“We agree with Richard Carapaz and work to provide comprehensive support,” assured the Head of State.
Carapaz, 28, covered the 234 kilometers between Musashinonomori Park and the Fuji International Track in 6:05.26 hours, in a solo triumph, with 1.07 minutes ahead of Belgian Wout van Aert, who took silver to the ‘sprint ‘ against Slovenian Tadej Pogacar, third.
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