Paralympic athletes arrive in Mexico; they expect more support for adapted sports

Mexico City. Led by medalists Ángel de Jesús Camacho and José de Jesús Castillo, part of the delegation that competed in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games arrived in our country.

Supported by dozens of people who gathered at the airport, the athletes made a request to the sports authorities.

“I hope they give more support to adapted sports. I don’t want to talk too much about this topic, but I was only able to attend one preparation competition and one camp. I don’t know if it was due to a lack of resources or another reason,” shared Camacho, who won two bronzes and one silver.

The swimmer, who is just 19 years old, won bronze in Tokyo, giving him four Paralympic medals to his name.

“My parents were the ones who encouraged me to have a competitive personality and that was fundamental. I feel very happy for what I achieved and more than encouraged to start a new cycle towards the Los Angeles Games,” he added.

Jose de Jesús Castillo, bronze medallist in powerlifting, seconded Angel’s request. “I would ask whoever comes to Conade to look at Paralympic sport. Our conventional colleagues made a great effort but we are the ones who brought back the medals.”

The national team member hopes to retire in four years. “I think the Los Angeles Games could mark the end of my career. We have to work much harder because there is a very strong generational change.”

José Alberto Gutiérrez, who won bronze at the age of 17 in the 400-meter freestyle, among others, also returned to Mexico.

The Paralympic delegation won 17 medals in Paris, five fewer than in Tokyo 2020. “Winning medals has become much more complicated. We have to prepare better and apply new technologies to our training,” said Castillo.

Mexico has participated in the Paralympic Games since Heidelberg 1972, when it did not win a medal. Since Toronto 1976 it has always been on the podium. Counting the number of medals in the 12 editions with a medal, Paris is the fourth worst performance.