by the El Reportero‘s wire services
Guatemala City, August 14 – An Olympic welcome will liven up the streets of this capital today in honor of the members of the national delegation returning from Paris, among them the champion and record holder Adriana Ruano.
Our athletes have written a new page in the sporting history of the country, announced the organizers, and urged not to miss the caravan that will start at 11:45, local time, from the capital’s La Aurora International Airport.
The Guatemalan Olympic Committee detailed that the route will touch emblematic points of the city such as the Plaza Obelisco, Plaza España, Municipalidad de Guatemala, Palacio de los Deportes, Plaza Espíritu Ganador and Avenida Reforma to end at the InterContinental hotel.
The organization also announced, after the welcome, a press conference with the athletes, who will be joined by some who arrived earlier.
On Saturday 17, in the central Plaza de la Constitución, Guatemalans will be able to pay homage to the Olympic Chapines, who will be received on the presidential balcony.
“Our athletes have elevated the name of Guatemala by placing us in a prominent position in the Olympic medal table of Latin America. This is an achievement that fills the entire nation with pride,” said President Bernardo Arévalo.
The Minister of Culture and Sports Liwy Grazioso highlighted, for her part, the importance of the event, while mentioning the government’s commitment to supporting the participants and highlighting their achievements.
“It is essential to recognize the effort of our athletes and their role in carrying our flag to international competitions,” said the minister.
The land of the quetzal, which has participated in the Olympic Games since Helsinki 1952, only had the silver medal of the race walker Erick Barrondo, won 12 years ago, in London 2012.
With the gold of Ruano and the bronze of Jean Pierre Brol, both in shooting, it entered the medal table for the second time and finished in 60th place.
Guatemala was the only country from Central America in the medal table, and in Latin America, it was even placed above Mexico (65), Colombia (66) and Panama (74).
Mexico attacks Israel for its actions in Gaza
The number of dead caused by the war in the Palestinian enclave since Oct. 7 has risen to 39,929, mostly children and women
Mexico urged Israel to stop military operations that cause civilian deaths in the Gaza Strip, especially attacks on schools and important buildings, according to the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE).
“A ceasefire and the start of negotiations for a solution to the conflict are urgently needed,” the SRE wrote on its X page.
“The Government of Mexico condemns and regrets that Israeli operations against schools and other essential infrastructure in the Gaza Strip continue,” the statement said.
The Mexican Foreign Ministry noted that “these attacks have cost multiple lives of innocent civilians and are totally contrary to international humanitarian law.”
- Since the start of the escalation on Oct. 7, 2023, there have been numerous attacks on schools, hospitals and other Gazan buildings by the Israel Defense Forces, leaving numerous victims among the Palestinian civilian population.
- The death toll caused by the Israeli war in the Gaza Strip since October 7 has risen to 39,929, mostly children and women. The wounded have risen to 92,240.
