Ibargüen: "I am a sample of the great country that we have"

[Akrapovic]

The athlete from Antioquia, excited after receiving the IAAF award as the best of 2018, dedicated the award to all Colombians.

The Colombian Caterine Ibargüen, proclaimed on Tuesday as world athlete of the year, along with the Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge, at the IAAF Gala in Monaco, said she was surprised to hear her name as winner and that her legs were shaking when she received the prize which, he says, "has a very sweet flavor".

The Antioquia becomes the second Latin American athlete to receive the award, 29 years after the success of the Cuban Ana Fidelia Quirot. "When I heard my name my legs were shaking, I was shaking, I thought I could not stand, I knew I was among the best in the world, but I did not know what was going to be named as the best, because there were five excellent athletes. My heart has been filled with joy, I dedicate it to all of my Colombia, without the vote of every Colombian this would not have been possible, "the 34-year-old jumper told EFE.

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"It is a prize that has a very sweet taste, perseverance, discipline and love for this are worthwhile, so I am very grateful because today God shows me that you should never give up, but keep fighting," he added.

He knows that his universal recognition is something that will remain forever. "If I ever write a book, this prize will be reflected in the first pages." It has been such a difficult day that when I wrote to the people I love in Colombia, I told them: What will God have prepared for me, because So much happened to me, and I did not expect it. "

"Monaco has always brought me good things, good marks (here he got his personal record of 15.31) and now this, next year I have a stop of the Diamond League here, to see what happens," he said.

Read also: Caterine Ibargüen is the IAAF athlete of the year

Caterine feels not too far away his good bye as an active sportsman. "When I retire from the clues, I would like to continue helping, and more in an IAAF ambassador role for my region, It would be to open a path for South American athletes, who many times believe we do not have an opportunity."

"I think I will finish my career after the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, but this fills me with a great hope to continue giving results for Colombia and continue with discipline, which is what keeps me going despite the pain," he confessed.

No caprice will be allowed to celebrate his triumph. "I will celebrate here with my teacher (his coach, Ubaldo Duany), but tomorrow I have to get up early to return to Colombia to share it with my people, I urgently go to Colombia to show them my trophy."

Also read: Eleider Álvarez and Caterine Ibargüen, athletes of the year of El Espectador

"Colombia is a country that vibrates with the good that it does, they feel reflected in that I am a good face that shows the great country we have, the support of Colombia, not only here, but throughout my career, is very big" , concluded Caterine, proclaimed on Monday as the Sportswoman of the Year for El Espectador and Movistar 2018, an award she had received in 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2016.