As I’m writing this post, Peru’s long-distance runner Constantino León is racing the last five kilometers of the Men’s Marathon (42.15 km), in Beijing’s National Stadium. Out of the 95 runners who began the race, only 82 remain, and León is 63rd at the 35-km mark.
The first-, second- and third-place winners have just crossed the finish line: Kenya’s Samuel Wansiru wins the gold with the impressive time of 2:06:32, setting a new Olympic Record. At 44 seconds behind Wansiru, Jaouad Gharib of Morocco grabs the silver with 2:07:16 (he also breaks the previous OR), and Deriba Merga, of Ethiopia, wins the bronze with 2:10:00. It’s an African sweep.
I keep hitting “refresh” on the official Olympics page for Men’s Marathon Results: with each click, another exhausted runner clocks in his final time. Still no sign of León. I hope he didn’t collapse. Thirteen runners have dropped out of the marathon thus far, including two runners from Brazil and another from Venezuela.
Okay. León just crossed the 40-km mark, still in 63rd place. Corre, Constantino, corre! There’s still time to improve your standing, carajo!
While I have a moment, let me recap the week’s events for Peru’s Olympic athletes.
- Peru didn’t win any Olympic medals.
- Peter López was in serious running for a bronze in taekwondo, but ceded victory to other athletes.
- Sailor Paloma Schmidt finished 26th in Laser Radial, after nine grueling races.
- María Portilla ran 39th in the Women’s Marathon, beating her own personal best time.
And – now it’s official – Peru’s Constantino León has finished in 61st place in Men’s Marathon, moving up two notches in the rankings. He must have heard me nagging him all the way from the Lima.
Leon’s final time was 2:28:04, 21 minutes and 32 seconds behind Wansiru.
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9 responses so far ↓
1 Alejandro // Aug 24, 2008 at 5:24 am
Y’know, sometimes it’s just as important to have been part of the event than winning it.
Let’s face it: Peru is a poor country with limited resources, and a government that (currently) cares more about facilitating processes for multinational corporations than its athletes.
I think if gold medals were being handed out to those athletes from poor countries who made it to Beijing despite the odds against them, with private and public sectors that afforded them limited resources, shoddy infrastructure, and a lackadaisical approach to sport, then Peru might have had a chance of at least a bronze medal.
Still, it’s great to read your enthusiasm for the Olympics.
Like you, I want to think the Olympics is truly about the ‘fastest, highest, strongest’ but sadly … it’s about the bucks, t’aint it?
Saludos!
2 Barb // Aug 24, 2008 at 10:21 am
Yes, Alejandro, it is all about the bucks. And, as you say, Peru’s focus is on courting the multinationals, rather than supporting its athletes.
I do think Peru’s participation in the 2008 games is outstanding, considering the odds the athletes overcame to get there.
We here in Peru (and Peruvians, like yourself, who live elsewhere) are able to appreciate the athletes’ achievements better than the analysts in the well-funded countries.
I’m touched by readers’ support for the Peru athletes, and I’m honored that this blog was able to provide a forum for some of those good wishes.
3 Alejandro // Aug 24, 2008 at 2:05 pm
“I’m honored that this blog was able to provide a forum for some of those good wishes.”
Absolutely! You did a great job, and I too was touched by reading comments from your readers…well, there’s always London 2012!
4 Geri // Aug 25, 2008 at 10:29 am
Thank you for your great site, Barb. And hats off to all youPeruvian Olympic Athletes. What a lovely ring to that title. How very proud you must be to be there. What an honour. Bravo! You did very well.
Canada
Go Peru!
5 Carmelita // Aug 25, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Just wait until London !!!!!!! 2012 !!!! Get ready!
6 Luis Carlos // Aug 25, 2008 at 4:33 pm
NO PROBLEM!!! WE HAVE 4 MORE YEARS TO PREPARE! LONDON WILL BE OURS!!
7 Robin // Aug 25, 2008 at 4:35 pm
I never gave up hope!! The Peru flag was there! So lets see what happens in LONDON!!
8 Barb // Aug 28, 2008 at 8:59 am
Geri — Thanks for keeping the spirit alive there in Canada. Any idea how many Peruvians and people of Peruvian descent are living in Canada now? I’ve been looking for figures but can’t find any reliable ones.
9 Barb // Aug 28, 2008 at 9:01 am
Yes, Carmelia, Luis Carlos and Robin, London is the next goal to work toward. Peru needs to give support to a few key Olympic sports to increase its chances for a medal. Which ones, do you think?
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