Mexican wheelchair racer seeks Paralympic medal before retiring

Source: CRI | 09-05-2008 10:34

Mexican wheelchair racer Saul Mendoza said on Thursday he expects to close his sports career with a medal at the Paralympic Games of Beijing 2008, after six outings to the Paralympics.

According to informations reaching here, Mendoza said "I will look for a place at the podium. I am preparing for that and it would be great because I have prepared for that."

Mendoza will participate in the 800, 1,500 and 5,000 meters races in the athletics T-54 category.

Mendoza is one of the best promises of the Mexican delegation. His triumphs started in the Games of Los Angeles 1984, then in the Paralympics of Athens 2004 and he said with a smile that he has always returned with medals.

"I am motivated and ready to give my best in each of the three events. I feel confident because thanks to my preparation I have been able to finish at the podium in each Paralympic Games," Mendoza said.

Mendoza has a collection of six medals at the Paralympics and another two in exhibition events at the Olympic Games.

Mendoza said that winning medals in Beijing is not going to be easy, because the level is very high at the events in which he will participate.

Mendoza has notable triumphs in the world championships of Stoke Mandeville in Britain; the Para Pan Americans and the marathons in Los Angeles and New York.

The athelete was on of the 115 members of the Mexican delegation at the ceremony where the flag was risen at the Paralympic Village in Beijing.

The ceremony was headed by the village mayor Chen Zhili and Mexican Ambassador to China, Jorge Guajardo Gonzalez.

Besides the Mexican flag, the flags of Barbados, Dominican Republic, Britain and Honduras were also risen.

Editor:Zhang Ning