A Gathering of the Elite in Track and Field

The Tenerife Athletics Center (CIAT), a sports facility owned by the Cabildo and managed by the public company Ideco, hosted yesterday the official presentation of the Canarias Athletics Invitational, the international track and field meet that will take place this Wednesday , May 15, starting at 6:00 p.m. at the facility, where spectators will be able to see some of the best athletes on the regional, national, and international scenes compete on the track.

During the presentation, the island’s Sports Minister, Yolanda Moliné, encouraged residents to attend the event “to enjoy the best of national and international track and field” and made a special mention of the now-retired discus thrower from Tenerife, Mario Pestano.

For his part, the mayor of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, José Manuel Bermúdez, emphasized the importance of “collaboration among all institutions, without which it would be impossible to hold an event of this magnitude.”

Alicia Cebrián, Councilwoman for Sports for the City of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, called it “a real treat” to be able to enjoy the lineup of athletes who will be competing at the CIAT track, which will undoubtedly serve as “an inspiration for the island’s youth, both to encourage them to continue practicing track and field and to inspire them to take it up.”

José Francisco Pérez, Director General of Sports for the Canary Islands Government, thanked the Canary Islands Federation’s Management Committee for its work and expressed his pride that the Canary Islands are hosting an event of international stature.

The president of the Canary Islands Athletics Federation’s Management Committee, Omar Hernández, highlighted the importance the event will have for “the athletics community in the Canary Islands, which has gone through some very difficult times, and this will bring a breath of fresh air, excitement, and emotion.”

Spanish triple jump record-holder Ana Peleteiro, who is beginning her journey toward the Paris Olympics in Tenerife, made her goal for the Games clear following the withdrawal of the defending champion, Yulimar Rojas: “I was training to win silver, and now I’m training to become an Olympic champion.”

Bruno Hortelano, the greatest Spanish sprinter of all time, said he was “very grateful to be back in Tenerife and on this track, which holds a very special place in my heart,” as it was where he competed for the first time after the unfortunate car accident he suffered years ago.

Samuel García, from La Palma, who is serving as host, expressed his excitement “to compete for the first time in Tenerife, in front of my family and the people who I’m sure will be cheering me on.”

The reigning Olympic discus champion, Sweden’s Daniel Stahl, also said he was very “happy and excited to be in Tenerife for the first time.”

The event, made possible thanks to sponsorship from the Tenerife Island Council, the Canary Islands Government, and the Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council, will be streamed live on the Deportes TV Canaria YouTube channel.