Kimberly García has made history again. Not content with being a two-time world champion a year ago, the Huancaina marcher collected an outstanding debt Pan American Games Santiago 2023 and managed to win the gold medal that had eluded him four years ago. After taking part in the continental competition, the 30-year-old athlete spoke to La República and made it clear that her main goal is to break a 30-year drought without Olympic medals at Paris 2024.
—How did winning two medals at the Pan American Games in Santiago make you feel?
—I won a gold medal (individual) and a silver medal (mixed relay). I’m happy, the main thing is the gold medal; In mixed doubles we were ready to fight for a medal. It was a good year, I learned a lot and I’m happy.
—You end the year in a great way: world record, silver medal at the World Athletics Championships and your recent successes in Santiago.
“Last year I achieved the double world title, the idea this year was to repeat it and also add the world record. It didn’t happen (silver at the World Championships in Budapest) because I need to improve some factors. I believe that the goals I have set for myself will be achieved. My next goal is the Olympic Games in Paris.
Kimberly García reached the finish line and took first place in the Santiago 2023 Athletics Walk. Photo: IPD.
YOU CAN SEE: Juan Reynoso will no longer remain coach of Peru: FPF is negotiating his departure from the national team
—During your career you have experienced difficult moments, such as the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto or the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. Were these two episodes turning points in some way?
—In Toronto, I reached the finish line passed out, completely unaware of the issue of hydration and everything related to long-distance racing. In Rio I finished 14th and explained that I wanted to retire due to lack of support. The investment is quite large if you want to achieve great things. When I mentioned this, a month later big companies like Perú LNG came to us. I’ve been with them for almost seven years and we’ve added a new team.
—Now that you can fully dedicate yourself to walking, the question is, how many professionals does an athlete in your category work with?
—I work with a multidisciplinary team: doctor, physiotherapist, nutritionist, sports psychologist, trainer. There are also people who moisturize me in different places when I go abroad.
—In recent weeks you have spoken out on a number of issues relating to the lack of support. They have highlighted situations such as maternity discrimination, a law for athletes and the investments required for success.
“It is true that the IPD supports us, pays us monthly and opens programs like now in Santiago 2023, but it is not a complete program.” You get three rides that only involve the athlete, not the multidisciplinary team or the coach . An athlete cannot travel without a coach, he is essential. Let them be complete programs. Let’s not expect them to support you just a few months before the competition, it has to be a long-term program. We don’t train when there’s still half a year left, we’ve been training intensively for four years. It is an investment, what the IPD offers us is not enough.
I also talked about the athletes. Here in Peru there is no law that protects pregnant athletes. May you also protect female athletes who want to become mothers.
—How complicated is it to combine sport and studies? You studied dentistry a few years ago
—I used to leave because I didn’t like it. I am now studying distance administration at Florida Continental University. This is happening in Spain, the university hosts athletes, let’s hope it can also happen in Peru in the future.
YOU CAN SEE: Messi attacks Brazilian police over repression: “An accident could have happened”
—What role did your family play in your career?
“My family has always supported me, they never told me: “Start studying, otherwise you won’t be able to make a living from sport.” My family really believed in my potential, which sometimes you don’t realize. For economic reasons, I often wanted to retire unconditionally, but they were the first to tell me to fulfill my dream.
—What will your preparation look like in these months with a view to the next Olympic Games in Paris in 2024?
—These months we will generally be in Huancayo. In January I’m traveling to Ecuador again to complete a special test with my trainer and everything. The first competition, the Team Walking World Championships in Turkey, begins in April. We see this because they will run 20km in a single day. Individuals and contributions.
—Do you feel any pressure or responsibility being considered the main medalist at Paris 2024, especially since you haven’t won an Olympic medal in more than 30 years?
-Peaceful. I am neither under pressure nor anxious. Very soon. I want to train well, do things well in order to arrive in the best possible way. I work a lot with the psychologist. Sometimes I tend to put pressure on myself; Sometimes I set such big goals for myself: I don’t just want to win, I want to set a record. This happened to me today at the World Cup. I’m working on becoming much calmer, more relaxed and enjoying what I do. It’s about entering, enjoying and having fun.
—Is there a message you would like to leave for girls who want to start marching and see you as a role model?
– The march needs to be spread more widely, it can be seen more often in Huancayo and Puno. Thanks to my results and those of other athletes, it is becoming more and more known. There are many children in Huancayo who want this, but the biggest obstacle is support. Here too the family is the most important part, they should support their daughters. Tell them that if they like it and have a passion for it, they should practice it. The path will not be easy, but once you achieve your goals, you will be truly satisfied with having achieved them.