Peru's Marathon Gold Medalist, Cristhian Pacheco, Snubbed by Authorities: The Untold Story of a Neglected Champion

2023-10-27 17:05:41

Pacheco clocked 2 hours, 11 minutes and 14 seconds. Photo: composition Fabrizio Oviedo/LR/Diffusion

Runner Cristhian Pacheco raised Peru’s reputation by winning the gold medal in the men’s marathon at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games. Despite this outstanding victory, upon returning to his country, Pacheco did not receive the expected recognition from the authorities. Peruvian sports, provoking their indignation and that of many compatriots, since they did not agree with what happened.

The feat of Pacheco, who clocked 2 hours, 11 minutes and 14 seconds, made the country vibrate. But when you arrive at the airport Jorge Chavez, the athlete faced an unexpected reality: no IPD authority was waiting for him to celebrate his success. What happened? Coming up next, we tell you.

What did the Peruvian Sports Institute say about Cristhian Pacheco?

Willax.pe interviewed Jorge Obando Verá, coordinator and spokesperson for the IPD, who explained what happened to the Huancaíno marathon runner. “We would have liked them to receive him in Lima, but most of the managers are here, in Chile, including President Guido Flores Marchan. There was not good coordination in the logistics so that they could receive him at the airport,” said Obando Verá. .

In addition, Obando Verá addressed Pacheco’s criticism of financial support for athletes. Although he acknowledged that the budget is not optimal, he assured that increases are being managed for next year. “Highly competitive sport is expensive, but we are working to consolidate our achievements as a country,” he added.

Cristhian Pacheco won the gold medal at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games. Source: diffusion

What did Cristhian Pacheco say about the IPD?

In an interview with La República, Cristhian Pacheco shared that, despite two days having passed since that moment and his statements having been echoed in various media, the IPD and the Peruvian Athletics Federation (FPA) have not established contact with he. Aside from this situation, the national marathon runner maintains the hope of receiving help for both himself and his fellow athletes. Pacheco expressed her disappointment: “So far, no one has called me. Regarding my arrival in Lima, I think that both the IPD and the Athletics Federation need to improve their communication or they simply lack interest.”

How much money will Peruvian athletes who win medals receive?

“Every athlete needs motivation and we are currently working on that. We have presented a proposal to the Board of Directors which includes a reward of 80,000 soles for the gold medal, 60,000 soles for the silver medal and 30,000 soles for the bronze medal,” said Guido Flores Marchán, president of the Peruvian Sports Institute (IPD). In addition, he highlighted that the coaches will also be recognized with an amount that is equivalent to approximately 50% of the achievement obtained.