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Héctor Garibay Speaks Out on Sports Funding: “Bolivia Needs Action, Not More Speeches”
🇧🇴 Bolivia /Sports

Héctor Garibay Speaks Out on Sports Funding: “Bolivia Needs Action, Not More Speeches”

From El Deber · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Héctor Garibay finished fourth in the Mexico Marathon and said setbacks during the race did not erase his effort over 42.195 kilometers.
  • He criticized Sports Vice Minister Roberto Bustamante and President Rodrigo Paz Pereira over insufficient funding and unfulfilled promises to athletes.
  • Garibay called for dignified conditions and real sports policies for current and future Bolivian athletes.

Héctor Garibay finished fourth in the Mexico Marathon, but he said the placing tells only part of the story. For him, the result was defined by the 42.195 kilometers of effort behind it, not simply by the final ranking.

Many may see the position and criticize, but I see 42 kilometers of struggle.

— Héctor GaribayHe defended his performance after finishing fourth in the Mexico Marathon.

The Bolivian marathon runner, who served as one of Bolivia’s flag-bearers at the Paris 2024 Olympics, said he faced problems during the race. He added that he did not want to use them as an excuse, describing them as part of the difficulties of competing at such a demanding level.

“Many may see the position and criticize, but I see 42 kilometers of struggle,” Garibay wrote. He contrasted athletes who have a support structure with those who must finance competitions themselves while receiving limited backing.

While you continue analyzing what to do with sport, athletes continue racing against the clock. The calendar does not wait.

— Héctor GaribayHe criticized Sports Vice Minister Roberto Bustamante over the lack of action on athlete support.

He directed part of his message at Sports Vice Minister Roberto Bustamante. “While you continue analyzing what to do with sport, athletes continue racing against the clock. The calendar does not wait,” he said. Garibay also stressed that he had gone to Mexico to compete at the highest level, not merely to represent Bolivia in a sporting experience. “I did not go for sports tourism. I went to compete in those 42.195 kilometers,” he said.

I did not go for sports tourism. I went to compete in those 42.195 kilometers.

— Héctor GaribayHe emphasized that he entered the Mexico Marathon to compete at the highest level.

Garibay addressed President Rodrigo Paz Pereira as well, recalling his promise that no athlete should have to pay again to represent the country. The runner questioned what had happened to that pledge, saying athletes still have to find the money needed to reach the starting line. He said he was not seeking privileges, but “dignified conditions and real policies” for athletes now and in the future, while describing sport as a tool for health, prevention, inclusion and social transformation.

Dignified conditions and real policies.

— Héctor GaribayHe described what he wants from national sports policy for current and future athletes.
About this summary

Originally published by El Deber in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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