00:00Colombia completely shattered expectations at the Dakar Youth Olympic Games.
00:05Eight of their 22 athletes won medals. Almost 40% of the delegation were young people between 15 and 17 years old.
00:12years ago he climbed onto the podium.
00:13However, behind this feat there is a story that also deserves attention.
00:17Colombia had secured 33 spots for these Games and ended up taking only 22 athletes, 11 less.
00:24In addition, there was a small support delegation of medical, communications, and organizational personnel.
00:30Conditions below expectations, amid the severe budget cuts that have hit the Ministry of Sport
00:35for years.
00:36Despite that situation, Colombia achieved the second most prolific participation in its history.
00:418 medals, 1 gold, 3 silver and 4 bronze.
00:45Only Buenos Aires 2018, with 12 medals, surpasses this performance.
00:49In Singapore 2010 there were 5 and in Nankin 2014, 3.
00:53The main protagonist was Ilsa Mayerlin Córdoba.
00:56At just 17 years old, the athlete from Turbo was crowned Olympic Youth Champion in javelin throwing, with a mark
01:03of 57.62 meters.
01:05The 3 silver medals came with Emanuel Otálvaro, who challenged the Asian powers of table tennis.
01:10Dylan Graciano, also in javelin throwing.
01:13And Evelyn Trejos, who reached the boxing final.
01:16The 4 bronze medals went to Alejandro Gutiérrez, in equestrian.
01:19Valery Rubio, in beach wrestling.
01:21Michel Gómez, in the 400 meter hurdles.
01:23And Izon Galea, in boxing.
01:25These are extraordinary results, but they shouldn't obscure the difficulties these young people faced in achieving them.
01:31Because it's one thing to celebrate our athletes winning despite the conditions,
01:35And it's quite another thing to get used to the fact that they have to do it that way.
01:38Colombian talent has already responded.
01:40Now the state needs to step up.
01:52Colombian talent has already responded.
