Heartbreak for González as She Finishes Fifth in Olympic Race Walk

After the men's race, the women's 20 kilometers were held at the foot of the Eiffel Tower in Paris 2024, where Alegna Aryday González Muñoz repeated this Thursday the fifth Olympic place obtained in Tokyo 2020. The Chihuahua native crossed the finish line with a time of 1:27:14 hours, which improved the time set in the Japanese capital of 1:30:33 hours.

González, who maintains her permanent concentration at the National Center for the Development of Sports Talents and High Performance (CNAR), was the best positioned of the three Mexican race walkers in competition, which saw the Chinese Jiayu Yang (1:25:54) crowned, followed by the Spanish María Pérez (1:26:19) and the Australian Jemima Montag (1:26:25).

Alejandra Ortega Solís, who returned to the Olympic Games after an eight-year absence, finished in 24th place with a time of 1:31:58 hours, while Ilse Guerrero Rodarte, with previous experience in Tokyo 2020, took 39th place with 1:37:10 hours. For Alegna González there is still a way to go in Paris 2024, as on August 7 she will compete in the mixed relay marathon walk alongside fellow Olympian Ever Palma.

I would rather not leave the Olympic Games without winning a medal

In Paris 2024, Alegna González Muñoz faced her second Olympic experience in the women's 20-kilometer walk, where she finished in fifth place, despite being in the medal contention zone for much of the competition.

However, the athlete from Chihuahua still has a pending commitment in ‘The City of Light’, because together with Ever Palma, she will compete in the mixed relay walking marathon on August 7, so she wants to take revenge and go for the podium as a team.

“I have to change my chip now, my individual test has already passed, and I had this result, I think I have to get rid of this anger in some way and what better way than in this test to achieve my goal, I would rather not leave the Olympic Games without achieving it,” she said.

Although Alegna González did not get an individual medal, she stressed that she gave everything on the course and that kilometer by kilometer she lived and enjoyed the competition in an impressive setting.

“I don’t know how to describe how I feel, I tried to give my best during the competition, I did not achieve the goal I wanted, boy did I try during the test, I did not give up at any point, I tried to live every kilometer,” she said.

“At first I didn't feel well, but as the kilometers went by I started to feel better. Halfway through the race I tried to take a risk, I noticed that it was too early, but I didn't succeed. In the end I gave it my all and that's all I can say. I don't feel sad, but I feel angry with myself because I had a very clear goal,” she said.

After her participation in the circuit, which is set at the foot of the emblematic Eiffel Tower, Alegna González, who is studying at the National Centre for the Development of Sports Talents and High Performance (CNAR), thanked CONADE for its support throughout the current cycle so that she could arrive prepared in the best possible way.

“I want to thank them because I have received support to be in each of my events and training sessions; I feel happy because we have done everything, to train well in a great place to live like the CNAR, I came as well-prepared as possible and here is this result,” she said.

Noel Chama and Ricardo Ortiz, in the top 15 of Olympic walking in Paris 2024

The athletics activity in Paris 2024 began with the 20-kilometer walking events, held on a circuit designed at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and where the Mexicans Ricardo Ortiz Rivera, Noel Alí Chama Almazán and José Luis Doctor Morales participated in the men's branch.

In the event, which was delayed due to weather conditions, Noel Chama, permanently concentrated at the National Center for the Development of Sports Talents and High Performance (CNAR), was the best-positioned Mexican walker after finishing in 13th place with a time of 1:20:19 hours, a mark that meant a national record and represented his second Olympic event after Tokyo 2020.

Likewise, Ricardo Ortiz, who made his debut in the summer event and continues his preparation in Villas Tlalpan of the National Commission for Physical Culture and Sports (CONADE), finished in 14th position by registering 1:20:27 hours.

For his part, José Luis Doctor, who also made his Olympic debut, was unable to complete the race and was disqualified around kilometer 11.

The men's race walk saw the Ecuadorian Brian Daniel Pintado take the crown with a time of 1:18:55 hours, followed by the Brazilian Caio Bonfim (1:19:09 hours) and the Spaniard Álvaro Martín (1:19:11 hours), who completed the podium.