Jefferson Peréz: "I
have not yet reached my limit"
Jefferson Peréz
made world headlines in Atlanta, striking the
first ever Olympic gold for Ecuador in the 20 km
walk to become the youngest Olympic Champion in
the history of race walking. In the 18th World
Race Walking Cup in Podebrady, Peréz confirmed
his talent, clocking 1:18:24 to win the fastest
race ever competed over the distance, with six
walkers finishing under 1:19.
But the
soft-spoken Ecuadorian still does not consider
himself the No. 1 walker over 20 km. "I have
not yet reached the limit of athletic
excellence," he asserts. "Medals
reflect the preparation of an athlete, and can
sometimes entitle him to feel self-satisfied, but
I do not feel I have reached my peak."
Projected to the
forefront of the international scene in Atlanta,
Peréz was already well known in specialist
circles for his excellent technique and
consistent string of victories, including a World
Junior title over 10,000m in 1992 (heralded by a
bronze medal in 1990), and subsequent golds in
South- and Pan-American Championships.
His Colombian
coach, former Olympic walker Enrique Pea, first
noted this young talent for his performances in
the South American Cup in 1990.
"After my
success in Atlanta I walked 500 km across the
Ecuadorian Sierra from Quito to my home town of
Cuenca. Race walking is now very popular in my
country, but unfortunately we do not have a long
tradition like Mexico, Spain, Russia or Italy. If
a walker emerges in Ecuador it is pure
chance." Now backed by a team including his
personal coach, doctor, physiotherapist,
nutritionist and psychologist, Peréz is
determined to leave nothing more to chance.
His sporting
results had already earned the business
administration student financial support from the
Ecuadorian government. After his Olympic triumph,
he now receives 100,000 USD for his team and has
secured a good contract with Nike. Pictured on a
postage stamp, Peréz is undoubtedly the most
popular sportsman in the history of Ecuador. Even
the possible qualification of the national
football team for the 1998 World Cup does not
seem to threaten this supremacy. "I am very
happy for their success, but they still have to
secure their qualification," says Peréz with
a trace of a smile. While the football team still
has to earn their ticket to France , Peréz is
sure to attend the final, invited by the French
ambassador in Ecuador.
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