Ecuadorean Sports Minister expresses solidarity with Carapaz after criticism of the Olympic Committee

“We are here to accompany the athletes, so that they feel close to the Ministry of Sports and their government. We are here to monitor how this coordination and logistics (from the COE) are happening. Unfortunately, we have seen things called attention, we are worried and indignant,” Palacios confirmed, via a video posted on social networks.

Ecuadorean Sports Minister, Sabastián Palácios, has expressed his support for cyclist Richard Carapaz, gold medalist in Tokyo 2020, after criticism of the Olympic Committee, for the lack of support for athletes from that South American country.

Sabastián Palácios, who is accompanying an Ecuadorean delegation in Tokyo, Japan, admitted that he saw things that drew attention, concern and indignation, which is in line with what the Olympic road bike medalist for men revealed after winning the gold medal.

Carapaz said at the time, “I was an athlete who came almost without support. She never believed in me, the medal is mine and the medal of the few who have always supported me.”

Palacios recalls that the Olympic Committee is “responsible for ticketing, coordinating the trip, receiving athletes in the Olympic Village, in other words, taking care of all the logistics for athletes at the Olympic Games.”

But the Sports Minister expressed his dissatisfaction with the “lack of coaches and a multidisciplinary team that includes athletes and all of these.”

“We are here to accompany the athletes, so that they feel close to the Ministry of Sports and their government. We are here to monitor how this coordination and logistics (from the COE) are happening. Unfortunately, we have seen things called attention, we are worried and indignant,” Palacios confirmed, via a video posted on social networks.

He added: “Having lived one of the most incredible moments in the history of Ecuadorean sport, to feel proud of Richard Carapaz’s achievement and victory, and after his statements that I understand and share, you should know a few things about Ecuador’s participation in the Olympic Games.”

In turn, the Council of Europe, through a statement signed by President Augusto Moran, recognized that its mission is to “promote and support the protection” of athletes in this type of competition, adding, for example, that the cyclist has arrived in the Japanese capital. Through the management carried out by the organization.

The President of Ecuador, Guillermo Laso, after learning of Carapaz’s statements, said that his government “is among its priorities to accompany Ecuadorean athletes in victories and defeats.”

“We agree with Richard Karabaz and are working to provide comprehensive support,” the head of state stressed.

Carapaz, 28, ran 234 kilometers between Musashinonomori Park and Fuji International Raceway in 6:05.26 hours, in an individual victory, 1.07 minutes ahead of Belgian Wut van Aert, who took silver in the sprint against Slovenian Tadej Pojacar, third.