Assassination of athlete Álex Quiñónez causes pain and shock throughout a country

A mixture of pain and discomfort invaded the Ecuadorians this Saturday after learning details of the murder of the athlete Alex Quiñónez, riddled last night by unknown men who shot him with a friend, near his home in the coastal city of Guayaquil (southwest).

Considered one of the fastest athletes in the world and a seventh place in the London 2012 Olympic Games, in the 200-meter dash, the murder of Quiñónez has crossed the limits of citizen tolerance, while the authorities fight a battle to stop the violence unleashed in the country.

“We are very sorry for the painful loss of Alex Quiñónez, father, son, a great sprinter who marked the sport. Our sincerest condolences to your loved ones. Rest in peace. Those who take the lives of Ecuadorians will not go unpunished. We will act forcefully, ”Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso wrote on his Twitter account.

The head of state insisted, in statements to journalists, that “those who take the lives of Ecuadorians will not go unpunished.”

The murder of Quiñónez took place in the midst of a state of emergency recently decreed by Lasso to combat the insecurity that has been unleashed in the country, with joint efforts between the Police and the Armed Forces.

“Mourning in the Barça family for the death of the Barça athlete Álex Quiñonez”, published on his Twitter account FC Barcelona, ​​to which the athlete belonged in recent years.

“We will never forget you dear Alex, rest in peace”, published on its official page “Panam Sports” the Pan American Sports Organization (Odepa).

“The surprising departure of the bronze medalist from the last World Athletics World Cup in Doha 2019 leaves a deep pain, but his legacy as the greatest sprinter in our history will always remain in our hearts”, highlighted the Ecuadorian Olympic Committee (COE).

For his part, the Ecuadorian cyclist winner of the 2019 Giro d’Italia and Olympic champion in Tokyo 2020, Richard Carapaz, expressed on Twitter: “Unfortunately about our dear #alexquinonez, my heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. Peace in his grave”.

Thousands of citizens have also expressed their dismay at the murder of Quiñónez, a charismatic athlete who represented the desire for victory of his people.

A photograph of him embracing the Ecuadorian tricolor flag during one of his competitions or that of his distant closeness with Usaín Boldt in the race in London, have flooded social networks with messages of indignation, pain and demand for justice.

“This is how we want to remind you as the greatest sprinter in Ecuador, the Athletics World mourns your departure today! Goodbye Alex, how much need are you going to do #Justice for Alex ”, published for its part the Ecuadorian Athletics Federation (FEA).

Quiñónez, 32, obtained a ticket to participate in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, but was suspended for a year by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after determining that he committed three fouls in the geolocation update for anti-doping controls.

The suspension emotionally affected the athlete who, with tears in his eyes, from the concentration from Tokyo, apologized to his compatriots for not being able to represent them in the competition, where he wanted to achieve a medal. (I)