Guevara announces retirement, says Mexican athletics too corrupt
© AP
2008-01-16 16:47:27 -
MEXICO CITY (AP) - Former world champion sprinter Ana Guevara, one of Mexico’s most celebrated sports figures, announced her retirement Wednesday, saying she was tired of corruption and cronyism in Mexican athletics.
The 30-year-old Guevara, who won the 400 meters at the 2003 World Championships, the silver at the Athens Olympics and is a three-time Pan Am Games champion, often celebrated her victories by carrying the Mexican flag high above her head. But she said she could no longer compete for her country after an 11-year career.
«I thought about running independently, but my dream was always to run for Mexico,» Guevara told the Televisa television network.
Guevara said six months ago that she wouldn’t go to the Beijing Olympic later this year unless Mexican athletics federation president Mariano Lara resigned.
«Six months after starting all this, things are the same,» she said. «I can’t be a part of this delegation and be true to my beliefs."
Mexico’s National Sports and Culture Commission, which regulates all sports in Mexico, is investigating Lara for mismanagement of funds. [u]The IAAF has endorsed Lara.[/u]
Guevara refused to make specific allegations, but she said she sent a letter to President Felipe Calderon detailing her accusations against Lara.
The letter was signed by 25 of the 27 athletes who comprised the Mexican team at the athletics World Championship in Japan last year.
During that competition, Guevara complained about a lack of uniforms, their poor quality, the requirement of several athletes to compete in more than one event, and the lack of support from the federation.
«I leave disappointed, tired of not achieving the results I wanted,» she said. «I thought I could change the situation, but dirty politics continue, and that is why I’m leaving. I hope people understand how big the problem is.
Guevara also won two bronze medals at the World Championships and a silver at the Pan Ams.
«I lost my spark,» she said. «But I leave content. I leave very happy, but I don’t have any other option but to retire."