Honor and courage. This was demonstrated by Eriberto Gutiérrez, a medalist from Peru, during the recognition ceremony presented to him by a mayor for winning a medal at the recently completed 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago.

The athlete did not accept the tribute and when he took the microphone, he voiced his protest, which earned him applause from the audience and the digital audience as described in the viral video.

The mayor of Abancay, where Eriberto Gutiérrez was born, wanted to publicly acknowledge that the boy won the bronze medal in canoeing, specifically in the men’s Kayak Cross K1, El País reported on November 6, 2023.

Ironies of life

In Abancay everything was prepared to honor Gutiérrez. He received the municipal award to applause and a few seconds later it was his turn at the microphone.

No one expected a bucket of water to be thrown at Mayor Raul Peña and his government.

“How ironic to be recognized when the effort was mine alone,” Gutiérrez began, to everyone’s surprise.

‘Actually, Mr. Mayor, you denied me support at the time. All. This is my attempt. Thank you very much,” said the medalist, who received even more applause in response. His voice was heard broken at that moment.

Before leaving the podium, Gutiérrez took off the medal and left it on the podium next to the diploma, the World Alert report said.

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“Very good. What many politicians have in common is that they abuse citizens and the achievements of others,” said Gonzalo Cervantes on X (formerly Twitter).

While Omar López commented: “Very good. I hope all athletes know that it is the private company that can best sponsor them, and never the politicians.”

The Peruvian athlete later said he has no sponsors. “I felt let down during the Games,” he said. He acknowledged the support of the gym where he trains, a clothing brand and the National Police, in 2022, “supported me to go on the trip.”

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The Venezuelan medalist claimed his purse during the awards ceremony

Another athlete claim was experienced in Santiago 2023 and was made by Venezuelan runner José Maita, who won the gold medal by winning the final of the 800 meters sprint.

On the awards podium, as El Cooperante reviewed, he shook hands with a member of the Venezuelan Athletics Federation and said: “I’m still waiting for the Pan American stock exchange. What do you want? I have to be an Olympian so you can give it to me,” Maita protested.

His claim also went viral in Venezuela. The Minister of Sports and the President of that country responded to Maita’s victory with messages published on their social networks.

(JO)