Mexican athlete Madaí Pérez dismisses pressure or feeling inferior towards the well-known potential that African athletes have in the Guadalajara Half Marathon 2018.

The tri-color athlete doesn't focus on the other competitors and, along with her teammates from Team Mercurio, Vianey de la Rosa and Mitzari Lozano, she hopes to have a good race this Sunday and win the gold medal.

"The three of us from Team Mercurio, Vianey de la Rosa, Mitzari Lozano, and myself, my vision is not about whether they are African or European, each person comes with their own strategy, each person with their own goals," she said.

She affirmed: "Our objective is to grow as athletes, I'm not interested in nationality because we all have the same abilities to achieve things, the day I think it's not possible, I won't do it. The idea is to do our best."

Tomorrow, the Mexican athlete will have a tough competition alongside Kenyan runners Diana Chemtai and Flomena Chepchirchir, Ethiopian runners Meskerem Seifu, Gebiyanesh Ayele, and Buzunesh Getachew, and Peruvian Inés Melchor, all of them with gold mark by the IAAF.

In an interview with Notimex, the Mexican marathon runner expressed her joy for being chosen as an ambassador for this race, also known as 21K Electrolit GDL, which celebrates its 32nd edition.

"Since they invited me to be an ambassador for the Guadalajara Half Marathon, it made me happy. Guadalajara is a symbol for Mexico, 21K is a symbol for Guadalajara, and seeking the gold label, which for us as athletes means the highest level, and I believe it will be achieved."

She added: "It's an honor to be an ambassador, it's an honor, a recognition that I feel towards myself, my life is full of goals, objectives, and achieving that gold tomorrow would be the ultimate, that my name remains marked."

Pérez, an Olympian in Beijing 2008 and London 2012, takes it step by step, and that's why she doesn't want to think about Tokyo 2020, aware that she must first prepare to the fullest and currently has her eyes set on the Central American and Caribbean Games in Barranquilla 2018.

"It's my first micro-cycle, the Guadalajara Half Marathon was planned since last year, then we will have another micro-cycle that will continue in New York to finish in the Boston Marathon."

She explained: "For me, being in these events is a celebration, a pride. I'm clear that in 2018 I represent my country in the Central American Games, but it will be planned after Boston."

Although she doesn't close the doors to seek a spot in another Olympic Games, she insisted that she plans on an annual basis. "I can't predict the future, I don't like to get ahead of myself, all I know is that I will do my best advancing day by day."

MC