World Silver Medalist High Jumper Slept Under Stadium Bleachers

Erick Portillo, the world silver medalist in high jump, once slept under the bleachers of a stadium in Querétaro for two months due to financial difficulties. The athlete shared his struggles in an interview, revealing that he couldn't afford rent after his previous living situation ended.

"I had no money for rent. For anything. My solution for a place to sleep, because the contract where I was living expired and I had no money to pay, was to go sleep under the bleachers of the stadium where I trained in Querétaro," Portillo told EL UNIVERSAL Deportes.

After leaving his childhood home in Chihuahua at 16, Portillo moved to the United States but later returned to Mexico. He connected with a coach in Querétaro and decided to stay there to continue his training and pursue his athletic dreams, even though returning to Chihuahua was an option.

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I had no money for rent. For anything. My solution for a place to sleep, because the contract where I was living expired and I had no money to pay, was to go sleep under the bleachers of the stadium where I trained in Querétaro.

His living situation was a storage room with mats, providing basic shelter. He subsisted on donuts and milk for about two months. Portillo's efforts eventually paid off when he became the Pan American U20 champion and began receiving support that allowed him to secure housing.

However, the pursuit of his career has come at a personal cost, with the distance from his family being a significant challenge. "Many times I've thought, 'You know what? I won't train this season.' Or 'I'll stop here.' Precisely because I want to be with my family. To spend time with them. It has been one of the hardest things," he admitted, expressing a wish to have spent more time with his parents.

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Many times I've thought, 'You know what? I won't train this season.' Or 'I'll stop here.' Precisely because I want to be with my family. To spend time with them. It has been one of the hardest things.