On the afternoon of this Saturday, August 17, National Palace sand dressed up. This was the place where the national athletes received a tribute in front of the eyes of hundreds of Guatemalans who chanted the name of each one of them.
The name of Adriana Ruanoan Olympic medalist, was cheered on by several Guatemalans who carried signs and banners to show their support and admiration. No wonder, Ruano is the first Guatemalan to win a gold medal for Guatemala.
The medalist was recognized by the president of Guatemala, Bernardo Arevalo ,in a tribute in front of the National Palace where all the country’s athletes who participated in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games were also awarded.
“It is a real honour to be here today, with all my people. I lived one of the most beautiful and rewarding experiences of my life. I had the privilege of representing Guatemala in Paris 2024. I will never forget the welcome you gave us, thank you very much to all of you,” were some of the words of the Guatemalan.
“I returned on August 14, very honored and very grateful to have had the privilege of representing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Upon my return, the welcome full of joy, affection, all those displays of affection that we received and that were given to me was something that I will never forget and that will remain engraved in my life forever. Thank you very much to you,” she said.
Ruano also mentioned the obstacles she has had to face since her beginnings. “Since I started this path, 25 years ago, I always believed that this dream would be possible, but I knew it would not be easy. There were times when I thought about giving up on the Olympic dream, but with effort and constant work I knew I could reach the top despite the difficulties,” she said.
“These medals have been the biggest goals that I believe we have had as a team and today we can happily say: we achieved it.
Ruano said that the achievement was not only hers, but also that of all the people who have accompanied her. “I would like to thank God first of all, who has been my guide, my strength, and who has given me the necessary tools to be able to manage a good competition in Paris,” she said.
The Guatemalan also thanked her family, whom she described as “her driving force and unconditional support,” as well as her multidisciplinary team (coach, psychologists, nutritionists), the sports leaders, her fellow members of the delegation, and all Guatemalans. “This medal belongs to all of you,” she said.
Adriana did not miss the opportunity to mention the other two Olympic medalists.rick Barrondo y Jean Pierre Brol. “I would like to make a special mention of Erick Barrondo; as the first Olympic medalist in history, he invited us to dream that everything is possible. And to my teammate Jean Pierre Brol, who won a bronze medal the day before. We showed that Guatemala can go very far,” he said.
The tribute was marked by the affection and gratitude of hundreds of Guatemalans who saw the athletes as an example to follow and a source of pride for Guatemala.
The medalists from Paris 2024 were in charge of raising the flag at the tribute ceremony in the Historic Center of Zone 1 of Guatemala City.
#Adriana #Ruano #dedicates #words #Guatemala #support #Paris
