Jefferson Perez is an example of great person and improvement. He owes his honor to be one of the great marchers and considered one of the best athletes within his discipline. He takes behind him an important Olympic career of awards that have not surpassed many men during his time.
He dedicates part of his life to sport and accumulates 11 medals at numerous international events. Jefferson Pérez shares with Robert Korzeniowzki the honor of being the best marchers in the world. Jefferson retired from his high-competition sports activity in September 2008, following the final of the World Challenge held in Murcia. He later devoted himself to further progress in his studies.
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The sports start of Jefferson Pérez
Jefferson is Ecuadorian and descends from Manuel Jesús Perez and María Lucrecia Quezada. They are two parents admired for their humble and hardworking origin who knew how to give that special assurance in their son’s career.
He was given the opportunity to start in the sport thanks to his brother Fabián, who helped him train with his coach Luis Muñoz , in the modality in endurance race to pass the subject of gymnastics.
His same coach realized the great potential he had and encouraged him to continue training thanks to the great talent and discipline he exercised in this category. This prompted him to win his first prize in 1990, with a bronze medal at the Youth Athletics World Championship in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
His first professional career
In 1992 he won the youth world title in Seoul, Korea. This is one of his first and successful attempts that help him continue pursuing his sports career. From there he received support with great sponsorships for several years, something he had not found within his government.
His first Olympic medals
In 1996 Jefferson wins the Olympic gold medal in his modality. Ecuador had already bet years ago with other runners and could not reach their marks. That’s when Perez Quezada reached the finish line obtaining a time of 1 hour, 20 minutes and 7 seconds in a 20 km route. An example of disciplinary progress as he was able to reach his goal even with one of his broken sneakers.
Other big trophies reiterated him in 2005 as world champion in Helsimki, Finland and in 2007 he repeated his trophy in Osaka, Japan. He won another medal, this time silver, at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China, in 2008.
Other important awards
Collect countless prizes throughout his career for their incredible beating brands. He is commemorated more than a dozen times as best Ecuadorian and Ibero-American athlete, according to the F.D.A, F.E.A, C.O.E and the National Press of Ecuador, from 1990 to 2005.
Among others of his many awards he is recognized to Sports Merit in 1995, the recognition as a National Hero granted by the government of the Arq. Sixto Durán-Ballén in 1996, the Sports Merit Award “First Class” in 1996, and Golden Athlete of the Year in 2001 by the South American Athletics Confederation.
His career has not been easy
His decision to practice this sport has been part of his illusions and challenges very thoughtful. He did not have an easy life, as he descends from a humble family. He had to combine his studies with sport and manage his income as a vegetable seller.
It had a big stumble in 2000 when in one of the competitions the Sydney Olympic Games was frustrated by the results obtained. He obtained fourth place in his modality and made him meditate to abandon his sports career for a few years. During this time he was able to resume his studies as a commercial engineer and be able to complete them.
As an athlete and a human being he also suffered serious injuries that could have taken him away from his sports career. In 1993 he suffered a collarbone fracture that made him impossible for a season. Another of his mishaps was in 1999 when he was detected a herniated disc.
He did not take him away from his competition but he would take risks to suffer irreversible consequences if he took measures. Even with his dictated measures he won the silver medal with all his responsibility and sorrows. He then underwent his operation and kept him in a wheelchair for a few weeks.
How was his retirement?
Perez retired from his sports activity in 2008 and continued his studies. He was able to work as a master’s degree in Latin American Government Studies at the University of Salamanca (Spain), in Business Administration and Commercial Engineer at the Universidad del Azuay, a great master’s degree.
He created the Jefferson Perez Foundation to enact a fair construction in society, where priority can be given to all children with low economic resources. This constitution will assist in the implementation of programmes and projects in solidarity for educational and health training.
He finally ran in 2019 as a candidate for mayor of Cuenca for the Renace movement, but could not be elected.
