Jefferson will participate in the 50km race walk 
GREECE, 25/08/2004. The race will be start these Friday 27th August at 9:00 am (Thursday 26 August at 23:00pm Ecuador).
Check it out the letter sent by Jefferson Pérez to his country.
Athens, Greece
25 August 2004
To my beloved country
I want thank you for all the demonstrations of love and affection that I have received during my entire sports career in every corner of Ecuador, affection that has become converted into a deep love for my country and the pride of representing in the entire world.
I arrived here with the job, illusion and ardent desire to give my country a new victory in these Games, thinking it would be a new Olympic medal; however, the result was different placing, know by all of you by now. This has implied a discharge of emotional energy in me, because I’m a normal human being and these situations can arise. This has brought on depression and frustration, because during my preparation to participate in these Olympic Games, I carried out the best training of my life; however, it is likely that a detail escaped me, preparing my self for defeat, something I never considered and never will consider since I am not a loser, nor is my country, and perhaps that was the reason for my depression.
In the past few days I have worked on trying to light again the fire that each of us carries inside, the fire of strength, courage and the will to fight even when all is lost. These have been difficult days, but I must perform the job that I began many years ago; I must finish it, in spite of the facts that in taking part in the 50km walk, I have low or minimal possibilities of finishing the entire distance, and perhaps even less of winning. It is my moral obligation to be at the starting line Friday 27th of August and compete until collapse from pain and fatigue, because when that occurs, I must get up and continue fighting. This will be my gift to a country that has confided in me, to give until the last drop of my blood during the battle. Perhaps I will wing nothing more than some great pains that will last for various days or weeks, but I will not permit the honor of my country to be doubt.
A thousand thanks to the entire country for that permanent support; you can be certain that will fight to the end.
Jefferson Perez Quezada
WITH NO RIGHT TO GIVE UP…….
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