An American in Lima » Peru Olympians

Peruvian Maria Portilla Wins Baltimore Women’s Marathon

Barbara — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 03:23:13 +0000

Great news for fans of María Portilla, the Andean-born marathon runner who represented Peru in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games.

Maria Portilla (center) runs in the Baltimore Marathon / photo by Kristine Buls/Examiner

Portilla won the Baltimore Women's Marathon this past Saturday, October 11, with a time just shy of the Peruvian national record. The Baltimore Examiner reports:

Maria Portilla of Peru won the women’s marathon in 2:36:32 — just short of the Peruvian world record of 3:35:19, which she set at the Beijing Olympics this summer. “After the half-mile point, I started to push hard,” Portilla said, adding she began to pull away around the 20-mile mark. Portilla, 35, finished second in the 2006 Baltimore Marathon (2:36:23) and fifth last year (2:39:55). “I was waiting a long time,” Portilla, who also earned ,000, said with a laugh. “I’m so happy.” Caroline Chepkorir placed second in 2:41:48. The event drew a record 17,500-plus competitors who competed in the marathon, half-marathon, 5K and team relay marathon.

I'm so pleased that Portilla achieved this victory. And the money is a sweet bonus -- especially for an athlete who rose from circumstances so underprivileged, she ran her first races barefoot because she couldn't afford running shoes. (Click here for a roundup of Peru's Olympians, including several paragraphs on Portilla.) Congratulations, Maria! Related story: Maria Portilla: "I Am Thrilled to Have Given My All in Beijing" (An American in Lima, Aug. 19, 2008)

Peru Olympian Sixto Barrera Honored by United Nations

Barbara — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 04:26:46 +0000

Sixto Barrera carries Peru's flag during Opening Ceremonies, Beijing Summer Olympic Games, August 2008

Peruvian wrestler Sixto Barrera, who represented his country in the Beijing Summer Olympic Games of 2008, was honored on August 26 by the United Nations, reports RPP Noticias.

The wrestler was decorated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for setting an inspirational example for young people. "I am very grateful for the people who supported me and made possible my participation in the 2008 Beijing Olympics," said Barrera after receiving the distinction by the representative of UNESCO in Peru, Katherine Muller.

Peru's "first guitarist," Oscar Aviles (now 83 years old)

The athlete also was congratulated by the renowned Peruvian Criolla musician Oscar Aviles, who highlighted the efforts of the young man who, despite not having received the full financial support he deserved, fulfilled his dream of competing in the Olympics. Peru has been a member of UNESCO since 1946 and is active in UNESCO initiatives for education and preservation of cultural sites. The 1993 Peru Constitution recognizes children's right to education and makes it mandatory for children to attend school until age 16. UNESCO considers Peru in the "intermediate" stage of achieving this goal, says the organization's web site. Barrera, who became a world-class wrestler despite having grown up in economically deprived conditions, is an example of someone who achieved great things as a result of hard work, discipline and commitment to education. These values resonate with UNESCO ideals. Barrera credits his faith in San Martin de Porres as having sustained his long climb to the Olympic wrestling mat. Barrera carried Peru's flag in the Opening Ceremonies for the Olympic Games and was one of Peru's foremost hopes for a medal.

Wrestler Sixto Barrera Wants to Win Medal for Peru, Self & God (Not Necessarily in That Order), (Aug. 12, 2008)

Lessons Learned Writing about Peru’s Olympians

Barbara — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:28:10 +0000

Seventeen days ago I wrote a short post on "The Big Olympics and Little Peru," about my shifting perspective, as an American expat in Lima, on the Olympic Games.

I thought that one post would be it on the Olympics. Instead, as I dug for background material on Peru's thirteen Olympians, I discovered that little was being written about the athletes in English. Not only that, Peru's Spanish-language media outlets gave scant coverage to the Games. Newspapers in Lima were more focused on South American fútbol matches than track & field or gymnastics in Beijing. Faced with an information gap, I decided to fill in as best I could. I'm not a sports writer. I don't even know much about sports. But I love the Olympics and I used to earn my living as a researcher, so I went at the project with a stubborn enthusiasm that partly made up for my lack of expertise. I'd wake up at one in the morning to check stats on the athletes' official Olympic pages. I'd find myself wondering, the day of a match, Would Cristina Cornejo beat her own record? Would Sixto Barrera make the world take notice? When I'd mention these names to people in Lima, many would say, "Cornejo?" "Sixto who?" They didn't have Olympic consciousness, let alone obsessiveness, as I did. That discovery made me feel lonely. During the first several days of the Olympic Games, I daydreamed about finding a sports bar in Miraflores where I could sit down at a nice, polished-oak counter and drink Cusqueno beer and eat piqueos and watch the Games all afternoon. (Note: I am not a sports bar person.) Of course I didn't have any luck finding my Olympic "Cheers" in Lima. But after posting on the Olympics for several days, I discovered something else: Thousands of people online who were just as interested in Peru's Olympians as I was: Peruvians living in the United States, or Canada. Americans who'd lived in Peru for a while, then left the country, but couldn't forget it. These readers found their way to this blog and left their comments – for me, for other fans, for the athletes themselves. I wasn't alone in cheering for Peru. Five days after the Olympics began, I'd found my own online sports bar: the readers of An American in Lima. I posted as often as I could about the Olympics, conscious that Peru's delegation was largely being ignored by the mainstream media. What attention the athletes were receiving in English-language media was far from encouraging. The lead story on Google searches for "Peru Olympians" during Week 1 was a nasty post by an American blogger who named Peru as the worst of "The World's Worst Olympians." (I won't stoop to publish the link.) Other bloggers began linking to that post, circulating the specious idea that Peru was a loser country because it had only won four Olympic medals in its history in the Games. Never mind that many countries have won no medals – the proliferation of that ugly post prompted me to counter its effect by posting as much as I could, and to report as fairly and broadly as I was able. Happily, my posts on the Games began to outrank the sneering American's. In its own small way, An American in Lima became a temporary haven for people to celebrate the efforts of some of Peru's finest athletes, who receive little money for training but whose stamina and determination make them heroes in their own right. (Blogger CarlosQC raised this point on his sensitive post about Afro-Peruvians in the 2008 Olympics.) Perhaps you need to spend time in a developing country, like Peru, to understand the magnitude of the achievement of a María Portilla or a Sixto Barrera. Writing about Peru in the 2008 Beijing Games also enlightened me about something crucial that the North American media has overlooked: Many viewers in the United States and Canada are interested in the fates of other teams, not just those of the U.S. and Canadian delegations. These viewers are frustrated when they try to find relevant programming or information, as some readers of this blog have pointed out. The problem is especially acute for those living in America, as Renée commented on August 26 (in response to "Trying to Watch the Olympics in Peru"):

Well, I am tired of watching only American athletes in the Olympics. No other competition matches are broacast. It gives the false feeling that Americans are the best in the world and that they win almost everything they play. Sad existence, to say the least... I would love to trade with you for these two weeks, to sit in "La Rosa Nautica", right at the pier at the base of Miraflores Bay, enjoying mariscos and pisco sours with wonderful Peruvian people around me….

Renée's not alone in feeling this way. Right now, in the United States, there are 33.5 million Hispanics who speak only English or are fluent in both English and Spanish, notes Hispanic Tips. These readers may live in the U.S. and even be American citizens, but they maintain ties to their home countries as well. Included in this group are many Peruvians. Whether they receive their news in English or Spanish, they want programming that speaks to their concerns. Many readers and viewers in North America care about what happens in the Southern Hemisphere. Until the traditional media understands this evolution, they're missing out on the crucial conversations taking part in the blogosphere right now. Oh, and about that American's comment that Peru produces the world's worst Olympians? Watch for my next post, when I hand out gold medals for the world's most amazing high-altitude athletes.

María Portilla: I Am Thrilled to Have Given My All in Beijing

Barbara — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:09:09 +0000

Peruvian runner Maria Portilla, who finished 39^th in the Olympic women's marathon and set a new national record with a time of 2 hours, 35 minutes, 19 seconds, expressed her gratitude to the Peruvian people for the praise she has received after her performance in the Olympic Games.

"I'm very happy because I gave it my all, and everything went well. I am happy -- very happy. The weather was good; happily I improved my time, and that's very gratifying," Portilla told RPP News on Sunday, August 17.

The Peruvian athlete explained the details of the race and revealed that she was surprised to learn afterward that she had improved her best time by five seconds. Portilla expects to participate in more marathons and to continue to evolve in her career as a runner.

"The race began calmly," she said. "The best runners came here and made extraordinary times. I was one of the few athletes with a time of 2 hours, 40 minutes, but here in Beijing I did very well."

"I'm surprised because my time improved by five seconds, something that is very important. It motivates me know that I can still improve my time. Hopefully God wants to give me another year to improve this."

She adds: "A special greeting to all Peruvians, especially those in the sierra." Source: RPP Noticias, Aug. 18, 2008, "María Portilla: Me emociona haber puesto todo de mi parte en Beijing" (translation, Barbara Drake) A July 31 story by Reuters reporter Maria Luisa Palomino provides a more detailed look at Portilla's journey from the Andes to the Olympic track:

Peruvian Marathon Runner Late Starter at 25

July 31, 2008

LIMA (Reuters) - Maria Portilla was unable to take part in physical education classes at school because of a hernia operation and took up running only at the age of 25.

Despite all the setbacks, the 36-year-old from one of the poorest regions of the Peruvian Andes will be traveling to Beijing to run her second Olympic marathon with high hopes.

Portilla, born in the department of Apurimac, had to work as a child to help keep her family after her father fell seriously ill.

"My childhood was a bit tough," she told Reuters in a telephone interview from the Andean city of Cusco where she was finishing her preparations.

"My father had a problem in his bones and it made me sad to see him in bed, not able to walk... But it transformed my personality."

Portilla's efforts left her with an injured back.

"I had a hernia and they operated on me but afterwards I went out to work again," she said. "That was why I couldn't do physical education, I was afraid."

All that changed at the age of 25 when Portilla was training to be an infant school teacher.

Her tutor threatened to fail her if she did not undergo a physical education test.

NO SHOES

Reluctantly, Portilla agreed to take part in a race and despite going barefoot, she surprised everyone by winning.

"When I won, I had no trainers," she said. "After that, people bought them for me. It was the first time I had been given trainers."

Her potential was spotted by the Peru Runners Club and with their support she qualified for the Sydney Olympics.

It was not a happy experience, however.

"The sun was burning terribly and my shoes started to burn. There was pain here and there, it kept popping up in different places. Suddenly, all the other girls started passing me."

The following year, Portilla moved to the United States but then suffered a throat infection which was further complicated by a reaction to antibiotics.

Although she took part in various marathons, it was a struggle. She missed out on Athens and it was not until 2006 that she regained her best form.

Portilla said the high-altitude Andean region of Cusco, where messengers knows as chasquis once ran along the roads between the cities of the Inca empire, had potential for producing more long-distance runners.

"My hope is that Cusco or Apurimac can produce an athlete better than me," she said.

(Writing by Brian Homewood in Buenos Aires, editing by Dave Thompson)

Peru’s Olympians, Part II

Barbara — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 03:23:13 +0000

Great news for fans of María Portilla, the Andean-born marathon runner who represented Peru in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games.

Maria Portilla (center) runs in the Baltimore Marathon / photo by Kristine Buls/Examiner

Portilla won the Baltimore Women's Marathon this past Saturday, October 11, with a time just shy of the Peruvian national record. The Baltimore Examiner reports:

Maria Portilla of Peru won the women’s marathon in 2:36:32 — just short of the Peruvian world record of 3:35:19, which she set at the Beijing Olympics this summer. “After the half-mile point, I started to push hard,” Portilla said, adding she began to pull away around the 20-mile mark. Portilla, 35, finished second in the 2006 Baltimore Marathon (2:36:23) and fifth last year (2:39:55). “I was waiting a long time,” Portilla, who also earned ,000, said with a laugh. “I’m so happy.” Caroline Chepkorir placed second in 2:41:48. The event drew a record 17,500-plus competitors who competed in the marathon, half-marathon, 5K and team relay marathon.

Peru Olympian Sixto Barrera Honored by United Nations

Barbara — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 04:26:46 +0000

Sixto Barrera carries Peru's flag during Opening Ceremonies, Beijing Summer Olympic Games, August 2008

Peruvian wrestler Sixto Barrera, who represented his country in the Beijing Summer Olympic Games of 2008, was honored on August 26 by the United Nations, reports RPP Noticias.

Peru's "first guitarist," Oscar Aviles (now 83 years old)

Wrestler Sixto Barrera Wants to Win Medal for Peru, Self & God (Not Necessarily in That Order), (Aug. 12, 2008)

Lessons Learned Writing about Peru’s Olympians

Barbara — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:28:10 +0000

Seventeen days ago I wrote a short post on "The Big Olympics and Little Peru," about my shifting perspective, as an American expat in Lima, on the Olympic Games.

Well, I am tired of watching only American athletes in the Olympics. No other competition matches are broacast. It gives the false feeling that Americans are the best in the world and that they win almost everything they play. Sad existence, to say the least... I would love to trade with you for these two weeks, to sit in "La Rosa Nautica", right at the pier at the base of Miraflores Bay, enjoying mariscos and pisco sours with wonderful Peruvian people around me….

María Portilla: I Am Thrilled to Have Given My All in Beijing

Barbara — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:09:09 +0000

"The race began calmly," she said. "The best runners came here and made extraordinary times. I was one of the few athletes with a time of 2 hours, 40 minutes, but here in Beijing I did very well."

Peruvian Marathon Runner Late Starter at 25

July 31, 2008

LIMA (Reuters) - Maria Portilla was unable to take part in physical education classes at school because of a hernia operation and took up running only at the age of 25.

Despite all the setbacks, the 36-year-old from one of the poorest regions of the Peruvian Andes will be traveling to Beijing to run her second Olympic marathon with high hopes.

Portilla, born in the department of Apurimac, had to work as a child to help keep her family after her father fell seriously ill.

"My childhood was a bit tough," she told Reuters in a telephone interview from the Andean city of Cusco where she was finishing her preparations.

"My father had a problem in his bones and it made me sad to see him in bed, not able to walk... But it transformed my personality."

Portilla's efforts left her with an injured back.

"I had a hernia and they operated on me but afterwards I went out to work again," she said. "That was why I couldn't do physical education, I was afraid."

All that changed at the age of 25 when Portilla was training to be an infant school teacher.

Her tutor threatened to fail her if she did not undergo a physical education test.

NO SHOES

Reluctantly, Portilla agreed to take part in a race and despite going barefoot, she surprised everyone by winning.

"When I won, I had no trainers," she said. "After that, people bought them for me. It was the first time I had been given trainers."

Her potential was spotted by the Peru Runners Club and with their support she qualified for the Sydney Olympics.

It was not a happy experience, however.

"The sun was burning terribly and my shoes started to burn. There was pain here and there, it kept popping up in different places. Suddenly, all the other girls started passing me."

The following year, Portilla moved to the United States but then suffered a throat infection which was further complicated by a reaction to antibiotics.

Although she took part in various marathons, it was a struggle. She missed out on Athens and it was not until 2006 that she regained her best form.

Portilla said the high-altitude Andean region of Cusco, where messengers knows as chasquis once ran along the roads between the cities of the Inca empire, had potential for producing more long-distance runners.

"My hope is that Cusco or Apurimac can produce an athlete better than me," she said.

(Writing by Brian Homewood in Buenos Aires, editing by Dave Thompson)

Peru’s Olympians, Part II

Barbara — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 03:23:13 +0000

Great news for fans of María Portilla, the Andean-born marathon runner who represented Peru in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games.

Maria Portilla (center) runs in the Baltimore Marathon / photo by Kristine Buls/Examiner

Portilla won the Baltimore Women's Marathon this past Saturday, October 11, with a time just shy of the Peruvian national record. The Baltimore Examiner reports:

Maria Portilla of Peru won the women’s marathon in 2:36:32 — just short of the Peruvian world record of 3:35:19, which she set at the Beijing Olympics this summer. “After the half-mile point, I started to push hard,” Portilla said, adding she began to pull away around the 20-mile mark. Portilla, 35, finished second in the 2006 Baltimore Marathon (2:36:23) and fifth last year (2:39:55). “I was waiting a long time,” Portilla, who also earned $18,000, said with a laugh. “I’m so happy.” Caroline Chepkorir placed second in 2:41:48. The event drew a record 17,500-plus competitors who competed in the marathon, half-marathon, 5K and team relay marathon.

An American in Lima » Peru Olympians

Barbara — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 03:23:13 +0000

Great news for fans of María Portilla, the Andean-born marathon runner who represented Peru in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games.

Maria Portilla (center) runs in the Baltimore Marathon / photo by Kristine Buls/Examiner

Portilla won the Baltimore Women's Marathon this past Saturday, October 11, with a time just shy of the Peruvian national record. The Baltimore Examiner reports:

Maria Portilla of Peru won the women’s marathon in 2:36:32 — just short of the Peruvian world record of 3:35:19, which she set at the Beijing Olympics this summer. “After the half-mile point, I started to push hard,” Portilla said, adding she began to pull away around the 20-mile mark. Portilla, 35, finished second in the 2006 Baltimore Marathon (2:36:23) and fifth last year (2:39:55). “I was waiting a long time,” Portilla, who also earned ,000, said with a laugh. “I’m so happy.” Caroline Chepkorir placed second in 2:41:48. The event drew a record 17,500-plus competitors who competed in the marathon, half-marathon, 5K and team relay marathon.

Peru Olympian Sixto Barrera Honored by United Nations

Barbara — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 04:26:46 +0000

Sixto Barrera carries Peru's flag during Opening Ceremonies, Beijing Summer Olympic Games, August 2008

Peruvian wrestler Sixto Barrera, who represented his country in the Beijing Summer Olympic Games of 2008, was honored on August 26 by the United Nations, reports RPP Noticias.

Peru's "first guitarist," Oscar Aviles (now 83 years old)

Wrestler Sixto Barrera Wants to Win Medal for Peru, Self & God (Not Necessarily in That Order), (Aug. 12, 2008)

Lessons Learned Writing about Peru’s Olympians

Barbara — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:28:10 +0000

Seventeen days ago I wrote a short post on "The Big Olympics and Little Peru," about my shifting perspective, as an American expat in Lima, on the Olympic Games.

Well, I am tired of watching only American athletes in the Olympics. No other competition matches are broacast. It gives the false feeling that Americans are the best in the world and that they win almost everything they play. Sad existence, to say the least... I would love to trade with you for these two weeks, to sit in "La Rosa Nautica", right at the pier at the base of Miraflores Bay, enjoying mariscos and pisco sours with wonderful Peruvian people around me….

María Portilla: I Am Thrilled to Have Given My All in Beijing

Barbara — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:09:09 +0000

"The race began calmly," she said. "The best runners came here and made extraordinary times. I was one of the few athletes with a time of 2 hours, 40 minutes, but here in Beijing I did very well."

Peruvian Marathon Runner Late Starter at 25

July 31, 2008

LIMA (Reuters) - Maria Portilla was unable to take part in physical education classes at school because of a hernia operation and took up running only at the age of 25.

Despite all the setbacks, the 36-year-old from one of the poorest regions of the Peruvian Andes will be traveling to Beijing to run her second Olympic marathon with high hopes.

Portilla, born in the department of Apurimac, had to work as a child to help keep her family after her father fell seriously ill.

"My childhood was a bit tough," she told Reuters in a telephone interview from the Andean city of Cusco where she was finishing her preparations.

"My father had a problem in his bones and it made me sad to see him in bed, not able to walk... But it transformed my personality."

Portilla's efforts left her with an injured back.

"I had a hernia and they operated on me but afterwards I went out to work again," she said. "That was why I couldn't do physical education, I was afraid."

All that changed at the age of 25 when Portilla was training to be an infant school teacher.

Her tutor threatened to fail her if she did not undergo a physical education test.

NO SHOES

Reluctantly, Portilla agreed to take part in a race and despite going barefoot, she surprised everyone by winning.

"When I won, I had no trainers," she said. "After that, people bought them for me. It was the first time I had been given trainers."

Her potential was spotted by the Peru Runners Club and with their support she qualified for the Sydney Olympics.

It was not a happy experience, however.

"The sun was burning terribly and my shoes started to burn. There was pain here and there, it kept popping up in different places. Suddenly, all the other girls started passing me."

The following year, Portilla moved to the United States but then suffered a throat infection which was further complicated by a reaction to antibiotics.

Although she took part in various marathons, it was a struggle. She missed out on Athens and it was not until 2006 that she regained her best form.

Portilla said the high-altitude Andean region of Cusco, where messengers knows as chasquis once ran along the roads between the cities of the Inca empire, had potential for producing more long-distance runners.

"My hope is that Cusco or Apurimac can produce an athlete better than me," she said.

(Writing by Brian Homewood in Buenos Aires, editing by Dave Thompson)

Peru’s Olympians, Part II

Barbara — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 04:26:46 +0000

Sixto Barrera carries Peru's flag during Opening Ceremonies, Beijing Summer Olympic Games, August 2008

Peruvian wrestler Sixto Barrera, who represented his country in the Beijing Summer Olympic Games of 2008, was honored on August 26 by the United Nations, reports RPP Noticias.

Peru's "first guitarist," Oscar Aviles (now 83 years old)

Wrestler Sixto Barrera Wants to Win Medal for Peru, Self & God (Not Necessarily in That Order), (Aug. 12, 2008)

An American in Lima » Peru Olympians

Barbara — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 03:23:13 +0000

Great news for fans of María Portilla, the Andean-born marathon runner who represented Peru in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games.

Maria Portilla (center) runs in the Baltimore Marathon / photo by Kristine Buls/Examiner

Portilla won the Baltimore Women's Marathon this past Saturday, October 11, with a time just shy of the Peruvian national record. The Baltimore Examiner reports:

Maria Portilla of Peru won the women’s marathon in 2:36:32 — just short of the Peruvian world record of 3:35:19, which she set at the Beijing Olympics this summer. “After the half-mile point, I started to push hard,” Portilla said, adding she began to pull away around the 20-mile mark. Portilla, 35, finished second in the 2006 Baltimore Marathon (2:36:23) and fifth last year (2:39:55). “I was waiting a long time,” Portilla, who also earned ,000, said with a laugh. “I’m so happy.” Caroline Chepkorir placed second in 2:41:48. The event drew a record 17,500-plus competitors who competed in the marathon, half-marathon, 5K and team relay marathon.

Peru Olympian Sixto Barrera Honored by United Nations

Barbara — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 04:26:46 +0000

Sixto Barrera carries Peru's flag during Opening Ceremonies, Beijing Summer Olympic Games, August 2008

Peruvian wrestler Sixto Barrera, who represented his country in the Beijing Summer Olympic Games of 2008, was honored on August 26 by the United Nations, reports RPP Noticias.

Peru's "first guitarist," Oscar Aviles (now 83 years old)

Wrestler Sixto Barrera Wants to Win Medal for Peru, Self & God (Not Necessarily in That Order), (Aug. 12, 2008)

Lessons Learned Writing about Peru’s Olympians

Barbara — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:28:10 +0000

Seventeen days ago I wrote a short post on "The Big Olympics and Little Peru," about my shifting perspective, as an American expat in Lima, on the Olympic Games.

Well, I am tired of watching only American athletes in the Olympics. No other competition matches are broacast. It gives the false feeling that Americans are the best in the world and that they win almost everything they play. Sad existence, to say the least... I would love to trade with you for these two weeks, to sit in "La Rosa Nautica", right at the pier at the base of Miraflores Bay, enjoying mariscos and pisco sours with wonderful Peruvian people around me….

María Portilla: I Am Thrilled to Have Given My All in Beijing

Barbara — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:09:09 +0000

"The race began calmly," she said. "The best runners came here and made extraordinary times. I was one of the few athletes with a time of 2 hours, 40 minutes, but here in Beijing I did very well."

Peruvian Marathon Runner Late Starter at 25

July 31, 2008

LIMA (Reuters) - Maria Portilla was unable to take part in physical education classes at school because of a hernia operation and took up running only at the age of 25.

Despite all the setbacks, the 36-year-old from one of the poorest regions of the Peruvian Andes will be traveling to Beijing to run her second Olympic marathon with high hopes.

Portilla, born in the department of Apurimac, had to work as a child to help keep her family after her father fell seriously ill.

"My childhood was a bit tough," she told Reuters in a telephone interview from the Andean city of Cusco where she was finishing her preparations.

"My father had a problem in his bones and it made me sad to see him in bed, not able to walk... But it transformed my personality."

Portilla's efforts left her with an injured back.

"I had a hernia and they operated on me but afterwards I went out to work again," she said. "That was why I couldn't do physical education, I was afraid."

All that changed at the age of 25 when Portilla was training to be an infant school teacher.

Her tutor threatened to fail her if she did not undergo a physical education test.

NO SHOES

Reluctantly, Portilla agreed to take part in a race and despite going barefoot, she surprised everyone by winning.

"When I won, I had no trainers," she said. "After that, people bought them for me. It was the first time I had been given trainers."

Her potential was spotted by the Peru Runners Club and with their support she qualified for the Sydney Olympics.

It was not a happy experience, however.

"The sun was burning terribly and my shoes started to burn. There was pain here and there, it kept popping up in different places. Suddenly, all the other girls started passing me."

The following year, Portilla moved to the United States but then suffered a throat infection which was further complicated by a reaction to antibiotics.

Although she took part in various marathons, it was a struggle. She missed out on Athens and it was not until 2006 that she regained her best form.

Portilla said the high-altitude Andean region of Cusco, where messengers knows as chasquis once ran along the roads between the cities of the Inca empire, had potential for producing more long-distance runners.

"My hope is that Cusco or Apurimac can produce an athlete better than me," she said.

(Writing by Brian Homewood in Buenos Aires, editing by Dave Thompson)

Peru’s Olympians, Part II

Barbara — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:28:10 +0000

Seventeen days ago I wrote a short post on "The Big Olympics and Little Peru," about my shifting perspective, as an American expat in Lima, on the Olympic Games.

Well, I am tired of watching only American athletes in the Olympics. No other competition matches are broacast. It gives the false feeling that Americans are the best in the world and that they win almost everything they play. Sad existence, to say the least... I would love to trade with you for these two weeks, to sit in "La Rosa Nautica", right at the pier at the base of Miraflores Bay, enjoying mariscos and pisco sours with wonderful Peruvian people around me….

An American in Lima » Peru Olympians

Barbara — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 03:23:13 +0000

Great news for fans of María Portilla, the Andean-born marathon runner who represented Peru in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games.

Maria Portilla (center) runs in the Baltimore Marathon / photo by Kristine Buls/Examiner

Portilla won the Baltimore Women's Marathon this past Saturday, October 11, with a time just shy of the Peruvian national record. The Baltimore Examiner reports:

Maria Portilla of Peru won the women’s marathon in 2:36:32 — just short of the Peruvian world record of 3:35:19, which she set at the Beijing Olympics this summer. “After the half-mile point, I started to push hard,” Portilla said, adding she began to pull away around the 20-mile mark. Portilla, 35, finished second in the 2006 Baltimore Marathon (2:36:23) and fifth last year (2:39:55). “I was waiting a long time,” Portilla, who also earned ,000, said with a laugh. “I’m so happy.” Caroline Chepkorir placed second in 2:41:48. The event drew a record 17,500-plus competitors who competed in the marathon, half-marathon, 5K and team relay marathon.

Peru Olympian Sixto Barrera Honored by United Nations

Barbara — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 04:26:46 +0000

Sixto Barrera carries Peru's flag during Opening Ceremonies, Beijing Summer Olympic Games, August 2008

Peruvian wrestler Sixto Barrera, who represented his country in the Beijing Summer Olympic Games of 2008, was honored on August 26 by the United Nations, reports RPP Noticias.

Peru's "first guitarist," Oscar Aviles (now 83 years old)

Wrestler Sixto Barrera Wants to Win Medal for Peru, Self & God (Not Necessarily in That Order), (Aug. 12, 2008)

Lessons Learned Writing about Peru’s Olympians

Barbara — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:28:10 +0000

Seventeen days ago I wrote a short post on "The Big Olympics and Little Peru," about my shifting perspective, as an American expat in Lima, on the Olympic Games.

Well, I am tired of watching only American athletes in the Olympics. No other competition matches are broacast. It gives the false feeling that Americans are the best in the world and that they win almost everything they play. Sad existence, to say the least... I would love to trade with you for these two weeks, to sit in "La Rosa Nautica", right at the pier at the base of Miraflores Bay, enjoying mariscos and pisco sours with wonderful Peruvian people around me….

María Portilla: I Am Thrilled to Have Given My All in Beijing

Barbara — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:09:09 +0000

"The race began calmly," she said. "The best runners came here and made extraordinary times. I was one of the few athletes with a time of 2 hours, 40 minutes, but here in Beijing I did very well."

Peruvian Marathon Runner Late Starter at 25

July 31, 2008

LIMA (Reuters) - Maria Portilla was unable to take part in physical education classes at school because of a hernia operation and took up running only at the age of 25.

Despite all the setbacks, the 36-year-old from one of the poorest regions of the Peruvian Andes will be traveling to Beijing to run her second Olympic marathon with high hopes.

Portilla, born in the department of Apurimac, had to work as a child to help keep her family after her father fell seriously ill.

"My childhood was a bit tough," she told Reuters in a telephone interview from the Andean city of Cusco where she was finishing her preparations.

"My father had a problem in his bones and it made me sad to see him in bed, not able to walk... But it transformed my personality."

Portilla's efforts left her with an injured back.

"I had a hernia and they operated on me but afterwards I went out to work again," she said. "That was why I couldn't do physical education, I was afraid."

All that changed at the age of 25 when Portilla was training to be an infant school teacher.

Her tutor threatened to fail her if she did not undergo a physical education test.

NO SHOES

Reluctantly, Portilla agreed to take part in a race and despite going barefoot, she surprised everyone by winning.

"When I won, I had no trainers," she said. "After that, people bought them for me. It was the first time I had been given trainers."

Her potential was spotted by the Peru Runners Club and with their support she qualified for the Sydney Olympics.

It was not a happy experience, however.

"The sun was burning terribly and my shoes started to burn. There was pain here and there, it kept popping up in different places. Suddenly, all the other girls started passing me."

The following year, Portilla moved to the United States but then suffered a throat infection which was further complicated by a reaction to antibiotics.

Although she took part in various marathons, it was a struggle. She missed out on Athens and it was not until 2006 that she regained her best form.

Portilla said the high-altitude Andean region of Cusco, where messengers knows as chasquis once ran along the roads between the cities of the Inca empire, had potential for producing more long-distance runners.

"My hope is that Cusco or Apurimac can produce an athlete better than me," she said.

(Writing by Brian Homewood in Buenos Aires, editing by Dave Thompson)

Peru’s Olympians, Part II

Barbara — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:09:09 +0000

"The race began calmly," she said. "The best runners came here and made extraordinary times. I was one of the few athletes with a time of 2 hours, 40 minutes, but here in Beijing I did very well."

Peruvian Marathon Runner Late Starter at 25

July 31, 2008

LIMA (Reuters) - Maria Portilla was unable to take part in physical education classes at school because of a hernia operation and took up running only at the age of 25.

Despite all the setbacks, the 36-year-old from one of the poorest regions of the Peruvian Andes will be traveling to Beijing to run her second Olympic marathon with high hopes.

Portilla, born in the department of Apurimac, had to work as a child to help keep her family after her father fell seriously ill.

"My childhood was a bit tough," she told Reuters in a telephone interview from the Andean city of Cusco where she was finishing her preparations.

"My father had a problem in his bones and it made me sad to see him in bed, not able to walk... But it transformed my personality."

Portilla's efforts left her with an injured back.

"I had a hernia and they operated on me but afterwards I went out to work again," she said. "That was why I couldn't do physical education, I was afraid."

All that changed at the age of 25 when Portilla was training to be an infant school teacher.

Her tutor threatened to fail her if she did not undergo a physical education test.

NO SHOES

Reluctantly, Portilla agreed to take part in a race and despite going barefoot, she surprised everyone by winning.

"When I won, I had no trainers," she said. "After that, people bought them for me. It was the first time I had been given trainers."

Her potential was spotted by the Peru Runners Club and with their support she qualified for the Sydney Olympics.

It was not a happy experience, however.

"The sun was burning terribly and my shoes started to burn. There was pain here and there, it kept popping up in different places. Suddenly, all the other girls started passing me."

The following year, Portilla moved to the United States but then suffered a throat infection which was further complicated by a reaction to antibiotics.

Although she took part in various marathons, it was a struggle. She missed out on Athens and it was not until 2006 that she regained her best form.

Portilla said the high-altitude Andean region of Cusco, where messengers knows as chasquis once ran along the roads between the cities of the Inca empire, had potential for producing more long-distance runners.

"My hope is that Cusco or Apurimac can produce an athlete better than me," she said.

(Writing by Brian Homewood in Buenos Aires, editing by Dave Thompson)

An American in Lima » Peru Olympians

Barbara — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 03:23:13 +0000

Great news for fans of María Portilla, the Andean-born marathon runner who represented Peru in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games.

Maria Portilla (center) runs in the Baltimore Marathon / photo by Kristine Buls/Examiner

Portilla won the Baltimore Women's Marathon this past Saturday, October 11, with a time just shy of the Peruvian national record. The Baltimore Examiner reports:

Maria Portilla of Peru won the women’s marathon in 2:36:32 — just short of the Peruvian world record of 3:35:19, which she set at the Beijing Olympics this summer. “After the half-mile point, I started to push hard,” Portilla said, adding she began to pull away around the 20-mile mark. Portilla, 35, finished second in the 2006 Baltimore Marathon (2:36:23) and fifth last year (2:39:55). “I was waiting a long time,” Portilla, who also earned ,000, said with a laugh. “I’m so happy.” Caroline Chepkorir placed second in 2:41:48. The event drew a record 17,500-plus competitors who competed in the marathon, half-marathon, 5K and team relay marathon.

Peru Olympian Sixto Barrera Honored by United Nations

Barbara — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 04:26:46 +0000

Sixto Barrera carries Peru's flag during Opening Ceremonies, Beijing Summer Olympic Games, August 2008

Peruvian wrestler Sixto Barrera, who represented his country in the Beijing Summer Olympic Games of 2008, was honored on August 26 by the United Nations, reports RPP Noticias.

Peru's "first guitarist," Oscar Aviles (now 83 years old)

Wrestler Sixto Barrera Wants to Win Medal for Peru, Self & God (Not Necessarily in That Order), (Aug. 12, 2008)

Lessons Learned Writing about Peru’s Olympians

Barbara — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:28:10 +0000

Seventeen days ago I wrote a short post on "The Big Olympics and Little Peru," about my shifting perspective, as an American expat in Lima, on the Olympic Games.

Well, I am tired of watching only American athletes in the Olympics. No other competition matches are broacast. It gives the false feeling that Americans are the best in the world and that they win almost everything they play. Sad existence, to say the least... I would love to trade with you for these two weeks, to sit in "La Rosa Nautica", right at the pier at the base of Miraflores Bay, enjoying mariscos and pisco sours with wonderful Peruvian people around me….

María Portilla: I Am Thrilled to Have Given My All in Beijing

Barbara — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:09:09 +0000

"The race began calmly," she said. "The best runners came here and made extraordinary times. I was one of the few athletes with a time of 2 hours, 40 minutes, but here in Beijing I did very well."

Peruvian Marathon Runner Late Starter at 25

July 31, 2008

LIMA (Reuters) - Maria Portilla was unable to take part in physical education classes at school because of a hernia operation and took up running only at the age of 25.

Despite all the setbacks, the 36-year-old from one of the poorest regions of the Peruvian Andes will be traveling to Beijing to run her second Olympic marathon with high hopes.

Portilla, born in the department of Apurimac, had to work as a child to help keep her family after her father fell seriously ill.

"My childhood was a bit tough," she told Reuters in a telephone interview from the Andean city of Cusco where she was finishing her preparations.

"My father had a problem in his bones and it made me sad to see him in bed, not able to walk... But it transformed my personality."

Portilla's efforts left her with an injured back.

"I had a hernia and they operated on me but afterwards I went out to work again," she said. "That was why I couldn't do physical education, I was afraid."

All that changed at the age of 25 when Portilla was training to be an infant school teacher.

Her tutor threatened to fail her if she did not undergo a physical education test.

NO SHOES

Reluctantly, Portilla agreed to take part in a race and despite going barefoot, she surprised everyone by winning.

"When I won, I had no trainers," she said. "After that, people bought them for me. It was the first time I had been given trainers."

Her potential was spotted by the Peru Runners Club and with their support she qualified for the Sydney Olympics.

It was not a happy experience, however.

"The sun was burning terribly and my shoes started to burn. There was pain here and there, it kept popping up in different places. Suddenly, all the other girls started passing me."

The following year, Portilla moved to the United States but then suffered a throat infection which was further complicated by a reaction to antibiotics.

Although she took part in various marathons, it was a struggle. She missed out on Athens and it was not until 2006 that she regained her best form.

Portilla said the high-altitude Andean region of Cusco, where messengers knows as chasquis once ran along the roads between the cities of the Inca empire, had potential for producing more long-distance runners.

"My hope is that Cusco or Apurimac can produce an athlete better than me," she said.

(Writing by Brian Homewood in Buenos Aires, editing by Dave Thompson)

Peru’s Olympians, Part II

Barbara — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:10:20 +0000

This story continues the coverage began in Keeping up with Peru's Olympians, posted August 11.

BEST PLACE TO VIEW LIVE OLYMPICS COVERAGE

Log onto http://www.NBCOlympics.com for streaming videos and up-to-the-minute coverage of the events as they happen. The site is in English and is easily navigated. Now I can stop kvetching about the poor Olympics coverage by Peruvian television stations.

WRESTLING RESULTS

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="315" caption="Sixto Barrera"][/caption]

Barrera told reporters in Beijing that his elbow was seriously injured in an earlier match with China's Yongxiang Chang, who applied an "improper" hold.

Medal winners in the 74 k category are: Gold, Manuchar Kvirkelia (Georgia), Silver, Change Yongxiang (China), Bronze, Yavor Yanakiev (Bulgaria) and Christophe Rene Marcel Guenot (France).

Kvirkelia's decisive 6-0, 3-0 victory Wednesday came in the same week Russian troops stormed through Georgia. The gold also was the country's first in Beijing, notes this NBCOlympics.com report.

Click here for all final results in Men's Greco-Roman 74k Wrestling, from ESPN Latin America.

Here's a translation of the August 13 story on Barrera by Terra news:

The Peruvian wrestler Sixto Barrera was eliminated in his match in the 74-k category of Greco-Roman wrestling when he lost to the Bulgarian Yavor Yanakiev, the last world champion, who beat him 3-0.

Barrera's performance is so far the most significant of the Peruvian delegation in the Olympic Games in Beijing.

Barrera was unable to do much against a rival who exceeded his abilities at every instance and demonstrated his status as monarch in this sport.

The Peruvian came to the match having lost in the quarterfinals to the Chinese Yongxiang Chang by 3-1 in the coliseum at the University of Agriculture of China.

"My opponent dealt me an improperly applied hold, after which I felt a pain in the elbow but now I'm in Recovery with the doctor. I'm concerned about my elbow, but this is the Olympics and the event is something big," said the Peruvian to RPP prior to his match against Yanakiev.

Barrera reached the quarterfinals after overcoming the Lithuanian Valdemar Venckaitis, bronze medalist at the last World Cup.

Hope that elbow heals, Barrera. Time to call on your healer pal San Martin.

SAILING UPDATE

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="204" caption="Peru's Paloma Schmidt, photo by Dario Lopez-Mills, AP"][/caption]

Peru's Paloma Schmidt, who ranked 58 in Laser Radial at the 2008 World Championships, in New Zealand, competed in three Olympic races on August 12 and 13 (Beijing time zone), finishing 9th, 26th and 27^th in Women’s Single-Handed Dingy Europe.

Schmidt’s trains at Yacht Club Peruano, in La Punta, Callao, with coach Eduardo Villacorta, notes her sailor bio on ISAF. Her nickname is “Bird,” in reference to her first name, which means “dove” in Spanish.

Visit Schmidt’s personal blog “Sailor Bird” (written in Spanish) to read about her preparations for the Olympics and to send her your good wishes. She speaks Spanish, English and German so leave your comments in the language you prefer.

Click here for Schmidt's bio and daily race stats from the official Beijing Olympics site.

JUDO

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Carlos Zegarra"][/caption]

At 6'8" tall and weighing in at 352 pounds, Peru's Carlos Zegarra has been mistaken on China's streets for a sumo wrestler. The giant representing Peru in the Olympic Games trains in Spain because his home country lacks the proper training and support infrastructure for serious judo athletes, he recently told Peru21.

I’ll post an English translation of Zegarra’s Peru21 interview in a day or so.

Zegarra and 33 other judoakos in the 100 kg+ category begin competition Friday, August 15, noon Beijing time. Zegarra is paired with Argentina’s Sandro Lopez on Mat 2, in USTB Gymnasium.

SHOOTING

Men's Skeet qualifications start this Friday, August 15, with Peru's Marco Matellini scheduled in Group 4 along with Norway's Tore Brovold.

Day 1 qualifications begin at 9 a.m. at Beijing Shooting Range CTF. (See start list here.)

WOMEN'S WEIGHTLIFTING

Peru's 22-year-old female weightlifter Cristina Cornejo competes this Saturday, August 16, 7 p.m. (Beijing time) in the +75 kg category, Group A. The 260-pound athlete weighs in at 5 p.m. at the BUAA Gymnasium. Also competing in the +75 category on Saturday is El Salvador's Eva Dimas.

See the AP photo, above, by Armando Franca for a view of Cornejo in action. Wow!

Click here for the official Olympic start list.

So far, three Chinese athletes have won gold medals in women's weightlifting events at the Beijing Olympics: Chen Xiexia (Women's 48 kg), Chen Yanging (Women's 58 kg) and Liu Chunhong (Women's 69 kg).

RUNNING & ATHLETICS

Peru's track and field athletes finally get their turn in the spotlight this Saturday, August 16, when Maria Portilla competes in the Women’s Marathon and long jumper Louis Tristan leaps into the qualifying rounds (finals are scheduled for Monday, August 18).

Tristan placed No. 2 in the 2007 South American Games

TAEKWONDO

The last Peruvian to compete in the Beijing 2008 Olympics will be taekwondo athlete Peter Lopez, on Thursday, August 21. Lopez competes in the Men’s 68 kg. preliminary rounds.

Some Peruvian martial artists apparently resent Lopez's representing Peru in the Olympics. A quick Google search revealed this bitter discussion on the expatperu discussion boards. Discussion forum member “rgamarra” (no real name given) resents that Lopez, who has lived and trained in the United States for “most of his life,” was catapulted to the Olympics ahead of members of Peru’s national taekwondo team.