Church condemns Conrad: “Investing in sports is investing in the future of Mexico”

Mexico City (apro) – A day after Ana Gabriela Guevara, director of the National Council of Physical Culture and Sports (Conade), made a statement on the fact that Mexican athletes “lack a more ambitious preparation, which they really believe in”, the Catholic Church blames the lack of financial support for athletes.

“From now on, Mexico must consider sports not only as a recreational activity that some people are entitled to participate in, but as an important tool for society as a whole, especially for the full development of all children and adolescents in an optimal environment.” “Violence and sin”, the weekly magazine Desde la fe details the church hierarchy through its editorial.

The Mexican team won five medals at the Paris Olympics, which ended this Sunday: three silver and two bronze. The country last won a gold medal at an Olympic Games in London in 2012, with the football team led by Jesus Corona, Carlos Salcido and Oribe Peralta. Since then, Mexico has not heard the national anthem for a victory in any competition for 12 years.

“It is vital that governments, private initiatives, educational institutions and other social actors prioritize access to sports facilities and develop programs that involve as many children and young people as possible, regardless of their socioeconomic background,” the church detailed in its communication.

Church leaders said, “Investing in sports is investing in Mexico’s future. The training of athletes not only physically, but also emotionally and socially will help cultivate citizens who are responsible for their communities and their country.”

He also asserted that “the closing of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games must be a watershed and a reaffirmation of the commitment to continue working so that every young Mexican has the opportunity to find in sport a path towards personal development, peace and social cohesion”.

process It was revealed last week that Osmar Olvera, who won a silver medal in the synchronized three-meter springboard with Juan Manuel Celaya and an individual bronze to become a two-time Olympic medalist at the 2024 Paris Olympics, received only 156,000 pesos in scholarship money over four years from Conade.

The 20-year-old diver received only 156,000 pesos in sports scholarships from 2020 to 2024; that is, every month he received 3,250 pesos for training, preparation and travel expenses. Therefore, the Guevara-led agency allocated 1,625 pesos every two weeks.

Other complaints

Diver and Olympic medalist Gabriela Agúndez issued a call for “focus on Mexican sports” for the virtual president-elect, and Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo said she would talk about “all politics related to sports”, August 8, “in Mexico until the next head of the Conade is named.

And, without setting a date, the brunette is willing to meet with the athletes to listen to their requests: “Yes, of course, when they come back from the Olympics we can have the pleasure of meeting them.”