Guatemalan page apologizes for calling Mexican athlete 'Korean'

A Guatemalan sports page has apologized after facing widespread criticism for a discriminatory post about Mexican taekwondo athlete Cecilia Lee. Liga Nacional GT initially suggested Lee, who won a silver medal at the Central American and Caribbean Games, was a "Korean" brought in by Mexico to compete.

The post, which celebrated Lee's defeat to Guatemalan champion Alejandra Higueros, sparked outrage online. It stated: "Mexico brought in the South Korean Lee Kim to compete in the Central American and Caribbean Games in women's taekwondo, a discipline where Asians are strong, but even they couldn't defeat our champion Alejandra Higueros, the current world number one."

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I am Mexican. I was born in Mexico and have had the honor of representing my country internationally with pride and discipline. Reducing a person's and a country's identity to their physical features, surname, or ancestry reflects misinformation and perpetuates stereotypes that should have no place, much less on a sports page with this visibility.

Both the Mexican Olympic Committee and Lee herself condemned the remarks. Lee responded on social media, firmly defending her Mexican identity and expressing pride in representing her country. "It saddens and embarrasses me greatly to see these types of posts, especially from a national sports league page. I am Mexican. I was born in Mexico and have had the honor of representing my country internationally with pride and discipline," she stated. "Reducing a person's and a country's identity to their physical features, surname, or ancestry reflects misinformation and perpetuates stereotypes that should have no place, much less on a sports page with this visibility."

Under pressure, Liga Nacional GT issued an apology, claiming the post was misinterpreted and denying any racist or discriminatory intent. "At no time did our publication have racist or discriminatory purposes. Unfortunately, it was interpreted that way by various sectors of the Mexican population. We believe that many people and media outlets took the message out of its real context," the Guatemalan outlet said in its statement. Lee has won two medals at the regional games.

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At no time did our publication have racist or discriminatory purposes. Unfortunately, it was interpreted that way by various sectors of the Mexican population. We believe that many people and media outlets took the message out of its real context.