Roberto Espinoza Mogro, special envoy

SANTIAGO

Jorge Delgado Panchana, president of the Ecuadorian Olympic Committee (COE), told EL UNIVERSO, last October 17, that the intention of the tricolor delegation at the 2023 Pan American Games was to equal or surpass what was done at the Lima 2019 edition, where ten were won gold, seven silver and fourteen bronze medals, which is a total of 31 medals. The goal mentioned by the former Olympic swimmer was achieved because Santiago collected a total of 36 medals (seven gold, ten silver and 17 bronze). This is the best Ecuadorian presentation in the history of participation in the most important continental competition.

Furthermore, team tricolor achieved an unprecedented record in 16 days of competition because it not only surpassed what was done four years ago, but also the record set at the Pan American Games in Toronto 2015 of 32 medals (7 gold, 9 silver, 16 bronze) was also broken.

After the closing of the tournament, Delgado revealed to EL UNIVERSO that he will hold meetings with the presidents of the national federations to carry out an analysis that will help improve the performance of the athletes classified for the Paris 2024 Olympics and support those who have done so. not yet. They have their own ticket.

At the first edition of the Pan American Games in Buenos Aires in 1951, Ecuador won gold with Jacinta Sandiford Amador in the high jump, making her a national sports heroine as she was the first Ecuadorian to win an international title. In the same edition, Augusto Cires won a bronze medal in archery, individually in the rifle category.

Delgado Panchana pointed out that he hopes that the new government, headed by the newly elected president Daniel Noboa Azín, will support them in preparing the athletes for the next Olympic Games. OO. There were inconveniences for the preparation of the athletes, and even for the delegation’s travel and the procurement of uniforms, because the Ministry of Sports delivered the funds intended for the Pan American Games to the COE late. “Everything was complicated. Obviously, if there is no money, everything will be difficult for you. They were delivered, but not as originally requested,” the head of the Olympic Committee told this newspaper before the transfer to Santiago.

He also used the dialogue with this newspaper to comment that during his term in the COE, he will only respond to the requests of the athletes and the entities that represent them in each discipline, and not to the comments of provincial leaders such as Roberto Ibáñez, president of the Sports Federation of Guayas, who would, said Delgado, should have worried about his administration.

Ibáñez, in a series of publications about his depiction social networkannounced: “When these (Pan American Games) are over, I will give my opinion on the subject.”

The leader in the Santiago 2023 medal standings was the United States with 286 medals (124 gold, 75 silver and 87 bronze); Followed by Brazil, 205 (66 gold, 73 silver and 66 bronze); Mexico, 142 (52 gold, 38 silver and 52 bronze); and Canada, 164 (46 gold, 55 silver and 63 bronze). Ecuador took twelfth place among 34 participants.

Are you satisfied with Ecuador’s performance at the 2023 Pan American Games?

The tricolor delegation arrived against everyone and fought. That is what is important. All obstacles that appeared during the preparation and development of these games were successfully overcome. We are going from strength to strength.

Without delays in the delivery of resources and without their cuts, could the participation of Ecuadorian sports be different?

Of course, the situation for tricolor athletes would be different. These variables affected the medal table, because the athlete must have peace of mind to be able to give his best in his performances. It should be remembered that some of them are parents, and others support their fathers and mothers. So, that economic part always affects one way or another, not everyone, but always some. What was always required was to come to Santiago with all the problems solved and give 110% for these Games.

There were sports that were a pleasant surprise at these Games (pentathlon, equestrian sports, karate, etc.). What is this for?

These are sports that developed slowly and had the opportunity to shine at these Pan American Games. Now we must develop them in order to have greater pleasure, so that this is not a fleeting pleasure. That there is not only one city in Ecuador with a training center for pentathlon or some other discipline, but four or more, depending on the number of young people who train them.

Based on what Ecuador has done, can a forecast be made for the 2024 Paris Olympics?

This only gives us a preliminary overview of what we should focus on when working to improve. The good, the bad and the ugly will be reviewed. We must correct the things that were missed, what was left undone and consider what is essential. We will have a new Minister of Sports (with the inauguration of Daniel Noboa as President of the Republic) and we will have a different perspective. That’s good. A person with different criteria and vision will come to that state department.

The COE seems to have been on test. The president of Fedeguayas said that he is waiting for the end of the Pan American Games to give his assessment of what has been done.

Mr. Roberto Ibáñez cannot say anything, because the only thing he can give an opinion about is judo. No one asked him for his opinion, it’s his opinion and he should keep it to himself. Not relevant because we have to add. This is a moment of analysis and nobody is perfect, obviously. Let’s remember that the Ecuadorian sports federations are the ones who did their best for their athletes, in the midst of all the difficulties.

What can be improved?

First, you need to do a sports-by-sport evaluation. We will have to have a meeting with each of the representatives of the disciplines to tell them what needs to be improved, what we can do and from our perspective, as the Olympic Committee of Ecuador, to cooperate with them. (D)