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This Friday was a great day for the Colombian delegation at the Paris Olympics. Weightlifters Yeison López and Mari Leivis Sánchez won silver medals in the 89 kg and 71 kg categories respectively. In addition to the silver medal won by young gymnast Ángel Barajas in the fixed bars event, Colombia registered three medals in the medal table with two days left.
This weekend, Paris wrapped up a joyous and intense Olympic event, but inevitably also sparked controversy such as women’s boxing, criticism of the symbolism of the opening ceremony, the cleaning of the Seine and even attacks on the train network. French organizers are happy with the challenge of holding a show of such scale in the heart of the City of Lights.
Still, there are multiple powerful images that recall the essence of the modern Olympics: competition in a peaceful intersection of cultures, nations, languages and sporting dreams. From the photo of Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina suspended in the sea to the meme-source of Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikek with his eyes open and one hand in his pocket, the Paris Olympians are reminding the world once again of the power and commitment of thousands of athletes.
These Games, which have already taken place in Colombia, have reignited the discussion about the state’s financial and institutional support for sports and athletes, even if the balance has not yet been struck. The relatively new Ministry of Sports—with high turnover, more scandals and failures like the Pan American Games than achievements worth highlighting—is facing budget cuts, while Colombians admire the personal efforts and sacrifices of the country’s athletes and their families.
If they don’t win two more medals in a few days, Colombia will not be able to match the five medals it won at the last Tokyo Olympics. Managers, government officials and coaches should take this opportunity to seriously review their plans and continuously improve the quality of national sports. Today’s medal table for France shows that the expected progress has not been made. Now all that remains is to say: Merci beaucoup, Paris.
Francisco Miranda Hamburg
framir@portafolio.co
X: @pachomiranda
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