The Guatemalan athlete Luis Grijalva, who is qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, arrived this Tuesday, March 19, in Guatemala, where he left 23 years ago with his parents heading to the United States.
Members of the Guatemalan Athletics Federation officially welcomed Grijalva, who is visiting the country for the first time since he left for the United States when he was 2 years old.
The Vice President of the Republic, Karin Herrera, and the Vice Minister of Culture and Sports, Francisco Aguilar, participated in the activity.
The athlete is in the country to complete his visa process at the United States Embassy.
“Hello Guatemala, I am happy to be here and thank you all for supporting me, thank you,” Grijalva said.
“It is my first time in Guatemala, I was born here, but 23 years is a long time,” he added.
He noted that he came to the country to process his US visa, because he currently cannot leave the US without first processing a special permit.
Regarding his preparation for Paris 2024, he said that he set a new record in two thousand meters, which he ran in 27 minutes and 26 seconds. He added that it was his first race of the year.
He added that all his efforts are focused on the Olympics and said he was satisfied because the sanctions on Guatemalan Olympic sports were lifted this Tuesday.
“I want to make history for Guatemala,” he responded to the question of whether he believes he is capable of winning an Olympic medal.
Grijalva is qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and the distance of 5,000 meters and is one of the favorites to fight for a place on the podium, especially following the sanction to the Spanish Mo Katir for skipping three anti-doping controls.
According to Moisés Hernández, manager of the Athletics Federation, Grijalva is scheduled to share with other Guatemalan athletes, as well as visit Quetzaltenango.
He added that it is not yet known how long he will be in Guatemala, since everything will depend on the immigration process that must be completed at the United States Embassy regarding the visa.
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be Luis Grijalva’s second, following having participated in Tokyo 2020.
In addition, Grijalva met with President Bernardo Arévalo and Vice President Karin Herrera.
“With immense pride, the Vice President has given a warm welcome to our beloved athlete, Luis Grijalva, on his visit to the country. His spirit and determination are sources of inspiration for young Guatemalans. Welcome home, Luis! “You have all our support,” the Government wrote on its Twitter account.
The Guatemalan runner is the owner of five national records, in addition to the 10 thousand meters, he is also the owner of the following brands:
1,500 metros 3:35.32 18-6-21
3,000 metros 7:38.67 30-6-22
3,000 meters indoors 7:37.42 05-2-22
5,000 metros 13.02.94 2-9-22
10,000 metros 27:42.56 4-3-23
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