Global Courant
The 24th edition of the Central American and Caribbean Games, which are held in San Salvador, El Salvador, will be marked as the first time in history that Guatemala and its athletes will not be recognized as a country.
Since 1926 the Guatemalan flag has adorned these jousts, the national anthem has never stopped playing and the athletes have had various uniforms with colorful details that represent the country, with the corresponding identifications.
However, for this edition everything will be different. As a result of the suspension that Guatemalan sports have been experiencing since October 2022, by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on the Guatemalan Olympic Committee (COG), the national delegation cannot carry the Guatemalan flag or listen to the anthem if they win a gold medal, nor use the coat of arms and colors of the country in their clothing.
Their participation will be neutral and although individual and team participations will be registered, as Centra Caribe Sports (CCS), the name of the organization of the Central American and Caribbean Games, they will not appear as Guatemala.
This situation has the protagonists with mixed feelings, knowing that they have to compete under the representation of a flag that is not that of their country, but even so, they will seek to carry out an outstanding performance.
“It is sad to be in these conditions. You train hard every day to represent your country and put your name up, but this time it won’t be like that. However, I believe that this should not lower our morale, because we are going to carry Guatemala in our minds and hearts, and every drop of sweat in seeking victory will be for our country. We will do our job, while we wait for this situation to be resolved as soon as possible,” said walker José Barrondo, one of the Guatemalan letters to win a medal.
When they get on the podium, the CCS flag will represent them. Navy blue, grey, black, red, green and white are some of the colors that the athletes of the different disciplines will wear in their uniforms and with the logo of the organization on the chest. In the opening ceremony, the Guatemalan delegation will participate in white and carrying the Centro Caribe Sports flag.
It should be noted that the Pan American Sports Organization said that the athletes who make a mark for the Pan American Games will be able to compete in Santiago, Chile, always under the organization’s flag, unless the suspension is lifted before said sporting events.
