A Huge Welcome 
Ecuador, 29/08/2008. The race walker spoke about his program to help street children and received a hug from one of his greatest fans, Pablo Cajamarca.
The most outstanding sportsman in the history of Ecuador was applauded by hundreds of persons who welcomed him after his participation in the Olympic Games of Beijing 2008, where the Ecuadorian race walker took the silver medal in the 20 km event, a feat recognized by the youngsters of Azuay province who crowded in to see him, dreaming of achieving the same success as their idol.
Dozens of vehicles and hundreds of persons were at the Mariscal Sucre Airport of Cuenca last Friday at 6:00 p.m. eager to see Jefferson Perez Quezada, although just for a moment.
After his arrival, the race walker was accompanied by a motorcade that escorted him to Calderon Park, the center of the city, where “Jeff” received a well deserved tribute by the authorities of the city and the provincial sports federation. Prior to the arrival of Cuenca’s athlete at the park, musical groups of different styles and both sexes contributed to creating a festive atmosphere. Then the city’s mayor, Marcelo Cabrera, congratulated the three-time world champion in a brief speech that resounded among those present, many of whom consider him to be the Platinum Cuencano. “Esteemed Jefferson Perez Quezada, the most outstanding sportsman of all time. It is an honor to welcome a great champion. Welcome, the city of Cuenca receives you with great affection,” emphasized the mayor.
Eduardo Encalada, president of the Azuay Sports Federation, joined in congratulating the double Olympia medal winner. “We want to say thanks for all you have done for the city, province and country during these 20 years in which you devoted your youth to the country and to Latin America.”
The fans cheered enthusiastically when Jefferson spoke to thank the authorities and the townspeople, who have always supported him in his triumphs and his defeats.
I am that youngster who sold newspapers 20 years ago; that’s who I am. The one who every day is among you, who smells what you smell, who suffers what you suffer; the one who, thanks to God and some authorities fourteen years ago, by selling my clothes and with the help of invaluable friends, could build the house I have in the same neighborhood. Don’t any good-for-nothing ever come and tell me that I have changed,” he emphatically stated.
The Ecuadorian race walker spoke about freedom of speech and thought. He confirmed his intention to retire from sports and offered a special dedication to the persons who work in the markets of the “Athens of Ecuador,” to those who sell newspapers on the streets of Cuenca as he once did. Jefferson then asked those present, “Who would like to speak?” A young boy in the crowd raised his hand and climbed onto the makeshift stage to converse with his living idol.
It was Juan Pablo Cajamarca, who congratulated “Jeff” for his performance in Beijing. "I love you a lot because you won the Olympic Games," exclaimed the young admirer of Jefferson's career.
The child’s parents have constantly encouraged him. His mother said that in spite of their low income, they always help him with his studies and motivate him to take part in sports.
Juan Pablo is a seven-year-old boy, who speaks of Jefferson’s being an example for many. He attends Miguel Angel Estrella School, which coincidentally now functions in the same location as Francisco Febres-Cordero High School, where the most outstanding sportsman in Ecuador’s history studied.
Although the boy admitted that his favorite sport is soccer, he insisted that race walking is an event that he would like to learn, as he wants eventually to win the titles that Perez has won. “I want to thank you a lot for what you’ve done in the name of all of Ecuador,” he said.
Juan Pablo commented that he and his parents watched the competition that took place in Beijing from beginning to end, and when his idol finished in second place he felt as though one it were a member of his own family in the streets of China. “I think that God blessed him,” said the little tyke. Like many children he has a dream, he wants to be a veterinarian, but in the meantime he will continue going to school, walking the halls that were once trod by the champion from the land of Simon Bolivar
Just like Juan Pablo, many children take Jefferson Perez as an example to follow. Time will tell if one day one of them will triumph just like that boy who sold newspapers during his childhood in the streets of his beloved Cuenca.
Andres Carpio Guevara
Source:eltelegrafo.com
|
