The Ecuadorian Cycling Federation (FEC) confirmed a week ago that Jhonatan Narváez will be the cyclist who will represent Ecuador at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, in the road cycling event and in the individual time trial. Richard Carapaz will not go.
This decision has generated a mixture of expectations and controversy, especially because it is based on a regulation released in March, something that was questioned by the current Olympic champion Richard Carapaz.
For ‘Richie’, the regulations were published at the wrong time, which reduced his chances of going to the Olympic Games to defend his gold medal. However, there is a slim chance that Richard Carapaz will go to Paris 2024.
Is it possible that Richard Carapaz will be invited?
The Ecuadorian Cycling Federation (FEC) has managed the possibility of obtaining a direct quota, by way of invitation or ‘wild card’ for the reigning Ecuadorian Olympic champion Richard Carapaz.
Although there are few antecedents, the FEC, together with the Ecuadorian Olympic Committee (COE), has managed the possibility of obtaining another quota for Ecuador.
“I estimate that six months ago we already started conversations to be able to obtain a second place for Ecuador,” said Santiago Rosero, president of the FEC, in an interview on May 7, 2024.
Thus, the COE sent a letter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Cycling Union (UCI), to try to get that second place.
“We have cited in this document that we have, as a country, the reigning Olympic champion (Carapaz), and also the reigning Pan American Games champion (Narvaez),” said Rosero.
“This is not simple, it is not common, but they have expressed to us that there are two as ‘wild card’. Based on the experience of previous Olympic Games, we have seen that the Vatican, for example, put a runner in Olympic Games. So, there are some caveats. We have been told that there are two, at the level of all sports. We are applying this request to see if we can have one of these two ‘wild cards'”, explained the leader.
Rosero said that this option may be open even when the Paris 2024 Olympic Games begin, which will be held from July 26 to August 11, 2024.
Richie’s’ complaint about the rules created by the FEC.
“There are many people who are ignorant about cycling. The ignorance is so great that you can’t argue with something that won’t prove you right. For me, I’m in the best shape and it’s something I’ve earned and a person sitting at a desk can’t take it away from me. That is something that belongs to me,” said the Ecuadorian Olympic champion in an interview broadcast on Teleamazonas.
“They have created a regulation that does not even have a basis and support. The UCI clearly says that in the month of October 2023 the classification of quotas will be closed […]. The greatest contribution of points for that quota has been me,” said Carapaz.
“Before we complained for not having a regulation, now we complain for having a regulation”, was Santiago Rosero’s response in MachDeportes, on May 8.
Richard Carapaz used social networks to wish luck to Jhonatan Narváez, who was finally selected to represent Ecuador at the Paris 2024 Olympics
“Hello Mijines. Well nothing, this time it could not be the representation for the Olympic Games, but I want to wish the best of luck to Jhonatan (Narvaez), may he do the best and represent us in the best way,” said Richard Carapaz, in a video.
“For my part I continue to prepare for new objectives, new goals. And remember, never stop raising your voice for a fair sport. A hug for everyone,” he concluded