The Guatemalan marcher Erick Barrondosilver medalist at the 2012 London Olympics, was left out of the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026 after the organization canceled the men’s marathon walk event due to lack of the minimum number of participants.
The National Athletics Sports Federation (FDNA) reported that the decision also left without competition Uriel Barrondowhile the athlete Lola Satre Morales He will not be part of the delegation due to an injury.
According to the federation, the Games organization canceled the test after Cuba and Venezuela withdraw their representatives, which prevented them from meeting the minimum number of competitors established in the regulations.
“They already had the reservations and everything, but, unfortunately, due to a situation beyond the control of the federation and the athletes, the event was cancelled,” Carlos Suárez, spokesman for the National Athletics Sports Federation, told EFE.
Barrondo had initially been registered in the Guatemalan delegation along with the country’s other Olympic medalists, Adriana Ruano and Jean Pierre Brol. However, the cancellation of the test prevented him and his brother Uriel from competing in the regional event.
Walking was among the disciplines with medal options for Guatemala. Erick Barrondo made history by conquering the silver medal in the 20 kilometer walk at the London 2012 Olympic Gamesthe country’s first Olympic medal.
The cancellation of the test represents a significant loss for the Guatemalan delegation, which participates in the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026 with 480 athletes.