The Peruvian marathon runner Christian Pacheco He left Peru’s name high: last Sunday, October 22nd, he won the gold medal in the men’s marathon Pan American Games Santiago 2023. However, despite this important achievement, the 29-year-old athlete was not received by any sports authorities upon his arrival on Peruvian soil. This sparked outrage among him and other Peruvians.
In an interview for The Republic, Cristhian Pacheco He said that the IPD and the Peruvian Athletics Federation (FPA) still have not communicated with him, although two days have passed since that moment and his statements have been repeated in various media. However, the national marathon runner is waiting with hope for help for him and his other fellow athletes.
What did Cristhian Pacheco say about supporting athletics?
—Did they contact you after you explained that the IPD and FPA did not meet you at the airport?
—Well, I haven’t received a call from anyone yet. As for the arrival in Lima, both the IPD and the Athletics Federation believe that they need more communication, otherwise they will not be interested; Maybe they have their reasons and motives. As an athlete it is unfortunate because the IPD, the Federation and the Olympic Committee know when we travel and return.
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—Do you hope that the IPD and the other sports institutions can contact you?
-I’m still waiting. At the moment I still haven’t arrived in Huancayo. I will be in Lima until Thursday October 26th as I undergo therapy to recover after the marathon. On Friday I leave for France until November 2nd or 3rd. From there I return to Lima and then travel to Huancayo to be with my family again. We will wait for these days to pass, hoping that they will join this project and the dream that I have, which is to fight at the Olympic Games in Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028.
Christian Pacheco on the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris
—After completing your participation in the 2023 Pan American Games, what are the next challenges?
—Next year there will be short 5,000 and 10,000 meter tests in the US in March and April. Once the competition is over, I will return to dedicate 100% to the Olympics in July, which is my main goal.
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—What is your goal for the 2024 Paris Olympics?
—The truth is, I have a dream. If God wants an Olympic medal. I only have two Olympics left to go, Paris and Los Angeles. I will be an elite athlete for 5 to 6 years. I will be doing very well and after that the years will pass, I will be 37 or 38 years old and I won’t be able to do it anymore.
Christian Pacheco: biography
The Peruvian athlete Christian Pacheco At the age of 29, he won his second gold medal at the Pan American Games, equaling the milestone of Brazil’s Vanderlei de Lima (Winnipeg 1999 and Santo Domingo 2003). The marathon runner is the penultimate of nine siblings and the father of two small children.
“I consider myself a very kind, respectful and kind person. I like helping others. In my family, I am a good husband, a good father, a good son and a good brother,” he tells us.
The connection to athletics came about thanks to Raúl Pacheco, the third of his brothers, who is also a well-known Peruvian marathon runner and won the silver medal at the 2015 Pan American Games. Raúl is not only his brother, but also his coach for six years. .
“We separate both things. It’s one thing to be a coach and an athlete. Everything is done with respect. As a trainer, he also corrects me when I train poorly or fail something. When that happens, he corrects me.” “Lower your head and I’ll continue training. As soon as the training is over, we will be brothers again,” he says with a laugh.
Cristhian Pacheco won the gold medal at the Pan American Games for the second year in a row. Photo: Distribution
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Apart from being an athlete, Christian Pacheco He majored in physical education and is a second-year psychology student. He tells us that once he officially retires from athletics, he plans to start a school for new values.
“With this school that we are going to open, we hope to bring out new values and talents and instill in them the spark of longing for the dream of the Olympic medal for all Peruvians,” confessed the two-time Pan USA track and field champion.
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Cristhian Pacheco on athletics
— How did your affinity for athletics come about?
— Well, I got into the world of athletics thanks to my brother. Before that I didn’t like athletics. I also didn’t like it when my brother pushed me into the world of athletics, but little by little I started winning, I got the hang of it and the training was more conscientious and professional. Until I 100% decided to enter the world of athletics.
— Did you enjoy another sport before athletics?
— Before entering the world of athletics, I played football in the Junín region, in the Chilca district. We have a large stadium there with about 4 or 5 soccer fields. As a child, we would always go out with my neighbors to play football and I would play three to six times for at least a week.
— Is there an important event that influenced you in athletics?
— For me personally, 2016 was the best year of my entire life because I took part in the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. I was there when I was 20 and it was my first time. Besides, I was happy because I went with my brother. We both took part in the same test and it was a very nice experience. After these Olympics my brother became my coach and that is another sensation.