
This morning food for thought at Mexico City`s Food Market Cafe, at the press conference Multidisciplinary Reflection Meeting aimed at Paris 2024, with the presence of Mr. Mauricio Sulaimán, president of COMEDEP and the WBC, Daniel Aceves, Director of the FAHH for Sports (FAHH Sports), President AOM and MOM, Mr. Horacio de la Vega, President of the Mexican Baseball League (LMB), Mario García,
Chief of the Mexican delegation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Mariel Hawley, the first Mexican to achieve the triple crown of open water swimming, Mr. Yon de Luisa, President of the Mexican Football Federation (FMF), as well as Ms. Gabriela Fernández, Reporter, Chronicler and Sports Commentator with 25 years of experience plus the expert sports analyst Fernando Schwartz.
Mr. Mauricio Sulaimán welcomed everyone and thanked them for their participation in this very important panel.
He expressed that sport represents one of the most noble and wonderful human manifestations and therefore it is impossible not to get excited for it.
He added that there is no better reward for an athlete than to represent his country in a sporting event as important as the Olympic Games the most important event of them all, recognizing and acknowledging that there is still a long way to go. He stressed it is imperative to honour the effort, dedication, work and passion that each of the Mexican athletes who participated in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, giving their all.
He commented that the Mexican Sports Council (COMEDEP), since its founding 37 years ago, has the purpose of raising and recognizing the importance of sport in the social, political and economic life of Mexico, and he has already clarified that it is our task to continue and work together to fulfil the objectives set since then: promote sports practice at all levels, recognize the most outstanding athletes and above all, contribute through sports to the establishment of a healthier, more peaceful Mexican society.
Mario Garcia, Head of Mission of the Mexican delegation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, first recognized the effort and participation of the Mexican delegation, but also was sincere when saying that there is a lack of overall coordination and integration of sports agencies and organizations, and there is a need for a student program that will provide support to high performance athletes who are just starting on their career path.
He commented that as of today, all the organizations involved in the sport have just 1057 days to work and create a work plan that allows them to arrive in optimal conditions and with the best preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Our panellists were clear in saying that the athletes’ journey is extremely complex and challenging, but despite the obstacles, they are still persevering, always ready to give the best of themselves, because they know that through this is the way in which they can achieve their dreams. A path that may seems exactng and extremely hard but that is their unique way of living. their life style.
Our guests recognized that the results in relation to the medals were not as expected but they also praised the feats that took place in Tokyo 2020 and the bronze medals.
Experienced and perceptive journalist Fernando recognized that one of the main problems lies with the media, because instead of following the careers of high-performance athletes at all times, they are only focusing in some stories but just a few days before the most important sports event begins.
He added that it is important to provide television or digital platforms for the monitoring and preparation of athletes, focusing on their needs from the beginning.
Finally, Daniel Aceves explained that the specific objectives of this Multidisciplinary Reflection Meeting of México towards “PARIS 2024” consist of providing opportunities and exchange ideas and experiences, in terms of programs and promotion of sport in order to bring together all the actors involved within sports practice.