Mexican swimmer Celia Pulido highlights NCAA's impact on athlete growth

Mexican athletes are increasingly seeking opportunities in the United States to advance their sports careers and education, with the NCAA serving as a key platform. Celia Pulido, a standout swimmer from Guanajuato and a student at Southern Illinois University, exemplifies this trend.

Pulido, one of Mexico's most promising swimmers, shared her insights on competing within the NCAA framework. She acknowledged the challenges Mexican athletes face in navigating this highly competitive system. "We are a generation that is leaving our comfort zone and seeking opportunities elsewhere," Pulido stated. "You have to dare to go out, take risks, and try. It doesn't matter if we have to leave our country or our family in search of a better future."

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We are a generation that is leaving our comfort zone and seeking opportunities elsewhere. You have to dare to go out, take risks, and try. It doesn't matter if we have to leave our country or our family in search of a better future.

She stressed that competing in the NCAA benefits not only individual athletes but also contributes to the overall development of Mexican sports, noting that several national teammates are also competing in the system with visible results. Pulido also reflected on the initial difficulties she encountered upon arriving in the U.S. and expressed gratitude for the unwavering support from her family back home.

"You need a support network to get ahead, because many obstacles appear along the way," she explained. "Knowing that I have my family supporting me and that they will always be there for me gives me a lot of peace of mind. In that sense, I consider myself a very fortunate person."

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You need a support network to get ahead, because many obstacles appear along the way. Knowing that I have my family supporting me and that they will always be there for me gives me a lot of peace of mind. In that sense, I consider myself a very fortunate person.