Almost all the great figures of the middle fund: Sara Moreira, Dulce Felix, Jessica Augusto, Rui Pinto, Ricardo Ribas, Lisinu Pimentel, Rui Pedro Silva, José Moreira, Fernando Serrao, Catarina Ribeiro, Salome Rocha, Souzange Ferano Godereira Laura Taborda, Dorothea Peixoto, Emanuel Rolim, Marisa Barros, Elio Gomes … And no, that’s not all: there are athletes of other specialties – from Catia Azevedo to Ana Cabesigny, from Tsanko Arnaudov to Vera Barbosa …
All of them and a few others are subscribers to the press release of the high-level athletes I have seen rocked national athletics – posted on social media under a black background with a symbol next to the Portuguese Athletics Federation.
Blasting is the least that can be said about him. The fuse that sparked the controversy caught fire during the controversial last Portuguese cross-country skiing championship and got even more gunpowder when the European Championship qualifier was revealed …
Participants proceed from this by opening the first line of attack: “Modern athletics is not what we want for us athletes, and not the most suitable for sporting success” – and in a statement that they all shared on their social networks, they firing more firewood, which refers to the “deafening silence” around the “lack of organizational capacity for the national championship, which, in addition to damaging the performance of the athletes present, had implications for individual and collective classification.”
The sickle cut denounced him: “This guide still does not show the necessary skills to run an important organization like the Portuguese Athletics Federation” – and in the end they put in the document, they make it clear what they want. the future: “Remember that the Portuguese Athletics Federation serves athletes, coaches and clubs, not the other way around, as has been shown recently. Therefore, we ask you to reflect on this question, and if you feel that you have given everything to the sport and cannot change this paradigm, then you will definitely come to the conclusion that you have only one option – resignation. … We need serious people with ideas and a desire to work to ensure a better future for us. We want an innovative sport based on values that can serve our young people by giving them the necessary conditions to see athletics as a way to make their dreams come true. ”
RELEASE
Dear Gentlemen,
Thus, given the many events, both most recent and others, that have influenced our sport (athletics) over the years, it is time to say enough and clearly and transparently to show all our displeasure. Athletics today is not what we want for us athletes, and it is not the most appropriate for athletic success. Our sport has been hit by poor driving and is on a path of no return.
By this we want to say that we have reached the point where we are convinced that this is not the direction in which our sport should go, unfortunately, we made sure that this direction continues without demonstrating the necessary skills to lead such an important organization as Portuguese. Athletics Federation.
Most recent cases: the lack of organizational capacity for the national championship, which, in addition to harming the performance of the athletes who participated in it, had consequences for the individual and collective classification. A few days passed, and a deafening silence reigned on this case, which once again demonstrated that the president of the Portuguese Athletics Federation only appears in good times, without showing his face when the federation he represents harms athletes and clubs by creating a bad image for athletes and clubs. the entire community of this modality and beyond. Finally, as athletes, it is difficult for us to understand how a federation can publish selection criteria where the dominant element is their absence, which indicates a lack of organization and understanding that reigns within the institution itself, and it is also incomprehensible not to bet on the European Championship, filling in all available places because we understand that this is the only way to provide international contacts for our young people so that they can grow as athletes and improve their competitive level.
Contrary to what you might think, this Federation was not chosen by us, we know that they recently won several elections, and this will be an argument that those in charge will use to defend, however, despite the fact that there is an Association of Highly Competitive Athletes that this should be a representation of us, athletes, who were also democratically elected, but could not vote in the last elections, we know that they were denied this right.
Recalling that the members of the previous Association, which never fulfilled their functions, used their voting rights only to elect these social bodies of the Federation, even taking advantage of the opportunity for some of these elements to become part of it.
This is just another point in which we check that the choice of the governing bodies of the institution that should represent us is not serious at all and is open to everyone. The essence of all this is concentrated precisely here, it is the associations that vote without worrying about the general dissatisfaction of athletes, it is impossible not to think that this game is not carried away, because every four years, with a general opinion, this direction remains.
Thus, we understand that the voices of district associations do not represent the most important aspect of this form that we are athletes.
Therefore, we appeal to associations with an appeal to take care not only of clubs, but also of athletes. When making decisions, do so with the awareness and responsibility of those who care for all of us. Athletics is a sport with a history and deserves special treatment. We athletes deserve different athletics, better athletics.
Remember that the Portuguese Athletics Federation serves athletes, coaches and clubs, not the other way around, as has been shown recently.
Therefore, we ask you to think about it, and if you feel that you gave everything to the sport and cannot change this paradigm, then you will definitely come to the conclusion that you have only one option – resignation. …
We need serious people with ideas and a desire to work to ensure a better future for us. We are committed to an innovative sport that is value-based and able to serve our young people, thereby creating the necessary conditions for them to see athletics as a way to make their dreams come true.
Thank you for your attention,
Best wishes,
athletes