Dressed in shorts and a comfortable shirt, the national runner enjoyed every moment from when he left his residence in Arizona at 6 in the morning until arriving in the country around 7 p.m.
He always kept a smile on his face and since entering Guatemala he spoke to the media with more fluent Spanish. of the first time the world saw him run at the Tokyo Olympics.
The agenda was loaded, He met with President Bernardo Arévalo and hours later he met with the members of the Athletics Federation, where Vice President Karin Herrera and the Vice Minister of Culture and Sports, Francisco Aguilar, were also present.
““I am happy to be in Guatemala for the first time, it is something I had always dreamed of so this day is very special,” expressed the 24-year-old runner who visited the country to complete the visa process at the United States Embassy, where the Athletics Federation has supported him to complete the process.
“I am very happy for the affection of all the people, also for meeting the president of Guatemala and for all the support I have received. Being here is special, I have a lot of family because of my dad and mom,” he said.
During the talk the runner seemed comfortable, he always projected that personality of humility and hugged and took photos with all the people who approached him. He did not stop laughing and responding to each of the concerns.
Why didn’t you compete in the Pan American Games in Santiago?
It was not possible due to the issue of permits to leave the United States due to my immigration status. I know that if I had participated I would have won a gold medal, but I have the confidence to be present at the Pan American Games in Lima in 2027.
He has improved his Spanish a lot since Tokyo
Yes, I have decided to speak it better every month. Where I live I have very few options to practice, but I’m trying.
The athlete arrived in Guatemala with his adoptive parents in the United States, Karl and Rachel Wurzbach, who have accompanied him in his sports and academic training, in addition to the Correr sin Fronteras journalist, Erik Aguilar, who has followed Luis’s career for 7 years.
Grijalva shared that since he realized he liked running, his goal was to be in the Olympics. He was 8 years old when he discovered the sport. The first Games that she saw on television were those in Beijing 2008 and from there she began to take steps to get to where he is today.
Now he is close to competing for the second time in the Olympic Games in the 5,000 meters, his favorite distance. and where in the Tokyo Olympics he finished in 12th place and in the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest he achieved a fourth position.
What does it mean to compete in Paris 2024 with the Guatemalan flag?
Today (Tuesday) has been special. I heard the news that Guatemala’s suspension was lifted and that’s good. The Olympic race is one of the biggest in the world and I wanted to run for Guatemala, I wanted to run for the country.
I have a lot of time to train, almost five months, and I will work hard, but now I am in Guatemala to meet many people and reunite with my family.
Do you see yourself on the podium in Paris?
It’s possible. At the Tokyo Olympics I finished 12th and I seriously don’t know how I did it. Now I have more experience and last year I was fourth in the world. It is possible to win, but I need a lot of work and sacrifice to achieve it.
What comes before the Olympics?
I have four races before the Olympics, in Los Angeles in April and May and another two in Europe. The best runners in the world compete in Europe and being with them is good.
Are you targeting any special brands?
In the Olympic Games, the time doesn’t matter, I don’t like to think about that, rather the goal is to finish among the first places. The marks will be there, but if you are among the first places you will be remembered.
Would you have liked to compete in the 10,000 meters in Paris?
No, (laughs) it is a difficult and tough race. It costs a lot, it lasts about 27 minutes and the best race for me is 12 minutes in the 5 thousand meters and the time in 10 thousand is more demanding. Maybe in the future I can run both distances, maybe in the 2028 Olympics.
How do you define yourself as a person?
I like to run hard, but there are also many other things I like about athletics. This year 2024 is for the Olympics and I will be focused only on that.
What message do you give to people who have followed your career?
Yes, I have received the support of people everywhere I go. A lot of people just wanted to say hi and take a photo. I know that I represent many millions of Guatemalans. I am sure that over time there will be many people like me who will run in the Olympics, I have that confidence.
Grijalva will complete his visa process and after training in the country, he also plans to visit some tourist places in Guatemala with his family.
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