The Lima 2019 Pan American Games have just taken place and there has been talk of a change in national sport, especially in providing more support to our outstanding athletes. However, racewalker Mary Luz Andía, who has already qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, can attest that this is not happening.
In her personal Facebook account, the 18-year-old national athlete has asked for financial support to be able to pay off a debt she owes to the José Crisan Institute of Arequipa, where she is studying Physical Education. If she does not get it, she would have to quit sports and focus on finding the money.
"I have a debt and I have to pay it if I want to continue studying, since with the little money I was able to save for my studies, I decided to invest it in my training, thinking that I would be quickly reinstated in the PAD program, but I see the delay", wrote Mary Luz, who explains that in January of this year she was removed from the Athlete Support Program (PAD) without any explanation.
"I come from the province of Espinar, my family is humble and of very limited resources. If I don't manage to pay off the amount I owe at the institute, I am forced to work to continue with my studies. Unfortunately, that means I would have to quit sports", she added.
Mary Luz Andía is one of Peru's best athletes. She qualified for Tokyo 2020 in a tournament in La Coruña. She has been the U20 South American champion and the U20 Pan American runner-up. How is it possible that we treat our qualified athletes like this? Where is the change that was talked about?
The debt that Mary Luz Andía has is 2,000 soles. If anyone wants to support her, this is the account that the athlete has left in her post: 04-076-382579 (Banco de la Nación).
Mary Luz Andía's post. (Photo: Facebook)
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