Jefferson Pérez to be Honored at Madrid International Race Walking Grand Prix

Ecuadorian race walking legend Jefferson Pérez will be honored this Sunday as the event’s Ambassador for Latin America at the V Gran Premio Internacional Madrid Marcha, set to take place on Madrid’s Gran Vía. The double Olympic medalist and triple world champion expressed his gratitude for the recognition, highlighting the event’s central location as a brilliant idea for showcasing the sport.

Pérez, who now serves as president of the Ecuadorian Athletics Federation, also shared his thoughts on the evolution of race walking, the challenges faced by athletes, and the ongoing discussions surrounding doping in the sport.

Reflections on a Career

Now preferring long walks in the mountains, Pérez looks back on his illustrious career with modesty, considering himself “a small stone in the great wall of history of race walking.” His Olympic achievements include a gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Games and a silver at the 2008 Beijing Games, complemented by three world championship titles in 2003, 2005, and 2007.

He remains invested in the sport, offering guidance to emerging talents like Daniel Pintado. Pérez shared his advice to Pintado, who is recovering from hip surgery and a recent hamstring injury, emphasizing a slow and steady recovery to ensure future performance. He expressed confidence in Pintado’s potential to medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, which would make him the first Ecuadorian with three Olympic medals.

The Future of Race Walking

Pérez acknowledged the shift from 20km to half-marathon distances in some competitions but stressed the importance of technological advancements, including the use of VAR-like systems, to improve the objectivity of judging and fan understanding of race walking sanctions.

“We have to achieve that race walking is more objective, as with VAR in football, so that fans better understand the judges’ decisions when applying sanctions,” Pérez stated.

Addressing Doping and Rivalries

The conversation turned to doping, a sensitive topic that brought up memories of his great rival, Paquillo Fernández. Pérez spoke with emotion about Fernández’s doping suspension, stating, “With Paquillo, what I felt was above all sadness because we had shared many competitions and I knew how hard he had always worked.” This contrasts with his reaction to state-sponsored doping, particularly concerning Russian athletes.

Pérez recalled the profound disappointment he felt when Lance Armstrong confessed to doping, having admired him during his training in Italy. However, he differentiated this from the case of Fernández, emphasizing a sense of sorrow due to their shared history in the sport. He also expressed frustration regarding the doping sanctions of Russian athletes, specifically mentioning Valeriy Borchin, who was stripped of many results, including Pérez’s potential second Olympic gold in Beijing.

A Tribute in Madrid

The V Gran Premio Internacional Madrid Marcha is expected to draw thousands of spectators, including a significant Ecuadorian contingent, to pay tribute to one of their nation’s greatest sporting heroes. The event, part of the World Athletics Race Walking Tour’s Gold circuit, will feature athletes from 18 countries, with a strong Latin American presence.

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Event: V Gran Premio Internacional Madrid Marcha
Honoree: Jefferson Pérez (Ambassador for Latin America)
Location: Gran Vía, Madrid
Significance: Recognition of Pérez’s career and promotion of race walking.

This event holds significance for FootballGames10 readers as it highlights a prominent figure in athletics, a sport that often intersects with football in terms of training, competition, and athlete development. Pérez’s insights into sports governance and his reflections on doping also resonate with broader discussions within the sports world.

Fuente: MARCA Futbol – https://www.marca.com/atletismo/2026/05/29/jefferson-perez-senti-tristeza-le-paso-paquillo-fernandez.html

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