Talking about Alberto González is highlighting an example of perseverance, faith and resilience. As a child he knitted clothes with Mayan designs until he was inspired by a cyclist and his dreams led him to the sport that first placed him at the top and now in his first Olympic Games.
“I worked in the manufacture of traditional costumes and once I went to see the end of the Vuelta a Guatemala, which was won by the Colombian Luis Henao. That day I said ‘I want to be like him’, but running, not on a bicycle,” Alberto said.
This is how his adventure in athletics began, which has led him to achieve unimaginable triumphs, but also to overcome great obstacles.
Alberto recognizes that he has had to make great efforts and above all impose a lot of discipline on himself, which is currently have become gratification and triumph. One of them was qualifying for the Olympics.
“Since I decided to start in this sport I knew I had to be very disciplined and dedicated. I set myself the goal of being in the Olympic Games and thank God I have achieved it.” he emphasized.
González was seeing the fruits of all that effort and 2023 brought him many victories that led him to achieve the long-awaited Olympic dream. He won the Max Tott half marathon. Then, he broke the foreign hegemony, especially of Africans, by winning the Cobán International Half Marathon, which had not happened for 33 years.
He later won the gold medal in the marathon at the Central American and Caribbean Games in San Salvador, El Salvador. He also became the first Guatemalan to win a medal (bronze) at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, in the 10,000-meter event.
However, the most satisfying moment came a month later. On December 3, 2023, he competed in the Valencia Marathon in Spain, where he clocked a time of 02:07.40, a mark that qualified him for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
“It was a good year and that day in Valencia I had the strength and confidence to do a good race. When I reached the finish line and saw my time, I said ‘mission accomplished’. I thanked God and shared my happiness with my family, who have always supported me. Until now I still have that special feeling and I just want to enjoy the games and give my best,” he said.
Miracle of life
“God gave me a new opportunity to live,” says Alberto, who was hospitalized at the beginning of 2024 and spent six days in a coma.
At one point his participation in Paris was questioned, but his faith and desire to succeed were stronger than any adversity.
“It has been a very hard process, but my faith has been great. In the darkest moments there is always a light of hope that always leads us forward”Gonzalez emphasized.
Profile
- Alberto González Míndez was born on February 28, 1996.
- Originally from the village of Chuachalí, Tecpán, Guatemala. At first he worked making indigenous costumes.
- Colombian cyclist Luis Henao was his inspiration to dedicate himself to the sport, but due to the high cost of owning a bicycle he decided to race.
- She won her first medal at the age of 17 and this marked the beginning of a successful career.
- On December 3, 2023, she had an impressive performance in the Valencia marathon, where she ran a time of 02:07:40, which earned her qualification for her first Olympic Games.
- Alberto González will compete on August 10 at 00:00 (Guatemala time)
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