He weightlifter of Cuban origin Arley Méndez publicly explained the reasons that led him to confirm his participation in the Enhanced Games 2026, a decision that has raised great controversy in Chiliyour host country.
The world runner-up in snatch last year thus responded to the approach of several senators of different political tendencies in the southern nation, who presented a request for the nationality that was granted to him by grace in 2017 to be withdrawn.
“I had not made a statement regarding the games where I was announced. But I think it is time to be able to give my opinion,” he expressed on his Instagram profile about his future foray into the so-called Doping Olympic Games.
“I see a lot of comments, a lot of prejudices and a lot of negative comments towards me,” he said. aforementioned through the middle The Third.
Méndez referred to the nationalization process, a benefit he obtained because deputies, senators, federation leaders and the Olympic committee supported him.
“They saw my talent and wanted to support me with that project, where they saw me as a future Olympic medalist, world medalist,” he added.
Nationality by grace is conferred in Chile to foreign citizens as a recognition of the contribution they have made to the country.
After obtaining the right to represent the South American country in international competitions, Arley achieved relevant results worldwide, for which he earned the distinction of Athlete of the Year in 2017 and 2018.
Along with his most recent world medal, among his best performances are the universal titles won in those years. He also holds scepters at the continental and South American level, and is the current Chilean monarch of his category.
“I think I have done it in a fairly correct way. The only title that I could not obtain, and the truth is that as an athlete, my whole life I have dedicated myself to this, was the Olympic dream, which I never managed to achieve,” he indicated.
money issue
Signing up for the so-called Enhanced Games led Arley to be the victim of questions and accusations of ingratitude, something he considered unfair.
Unlike other competitions organized by the international federation, the event is not governed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) or the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Therefore, athletes can compete with pharmacological and scientific support under medical supervision.
Its first edition is scheduled for May 2026 in Las Vegas, United States, and includes the awarding of substantial financial prizes for those who achieve exceptional marks, which can reach one million dollars.
Five years ago Arley served a doping ban, and once the established time expired, he returned to competitions, bringing good results for the country.
“I was in very great economic need and what I do in my life is lift weights, which I have been doing since I was 9 years old… the only way for me to be able to be at the top again is to return to weightlifting… I returned, I won Pan American bronze and I was able to obtain a new Proddar (scholarship) to be able to feed my family,” he recalled.
In the same video he stressed that when he made the decision to compete in the particular event, whose initial edition will be hosted next May in the American city of Las Vegas, he was already a retired athlete with no ties to the country’s sports organizations.
“I don’t think I committed any crime when I made my decision. I am 32 years old, I have three children, I have a family to feed. I am going to move forward because I know I deserve it, I have been in this sport for many years and I need to support my family, which is the important thing,” he said.
unfair punishment
The situation of Arley, who no longer enjoys the benefits of being a federated athlete, was confirmed by the Chilean federation and its manager, Ronald Salinas, according to a note published by the Chilean newspaper T13.
“We tried to convey to him that he is a priority athlete for us, knowing the achievements he has achieved, such as the world runner-up in Norway last year. But he maintained his position of retirement. He told us that he had other things in mind, so we had to proceed with the formal retirement,” said the manager, who left the door open to a change of position.
For his part, the athlete seems determined not to turn back and assume the consequences of the step taken, although in this case his legal permanence, and that of his family, in the country that welcomed him is at stake.
“I think they are beating me more than normal. I know that we all have the right to our opinion, we are in a free country, but as long as it is with respect,” he expressed.
