Ecuadorian Olympic Sprinter Alex Quinonez Shot Dead
Umer Jamshaid Published October 24, 2021 | 12:50 PM
Quito, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Oct, 2021 ) :Ecuadorian Olympic sprinter Alex Quinonez was shot dead in the port city of Guayaquil, authorities announced, sparking an outpouring of grief in a country struggling to contain a surge in violence.
Quinonez, 32, and another person were found dead close to midnight local time (0500 GMT) on Friday, according to police.
Ecuador's President Guillermo Lasso promised to bring his killers to justice.
"Those who take the lives of Ecuadoreans will not remain unpunished. We will act with force," Lasso tweeted.
The provincial governor likewise pledged accountability for the murders.
"No one will rest until @PoliciaEcuador captures the culprits. We are facing a war against drug gangs that intend to subdue us," Pablo Arosemena, the governor of Guayas province, whose capital is Guayaquil, said on Twitter.
The country's sports ministry confirmed Quinonez's killing on Twitter, paying tribute to "the greatest sprinter this country produced." "We have lost a great sportsman, someone who allowed us to dream, who moved us," the ministry said.
Quinonez held Ecuador's record for the 200-meter sprint with a time of 19.87 seconds.
He was a finalist in the 2012 London Olympics, achieving seventh place after competing in the semis in the lane next to Usain Bolt, the fastest sprinter in history.
Ecuador's Olympic Committee said the death of Quinonez "leaves us with profound pain" and that his "legacy will forever stay in our hearts." The sprinter's body was due to return to his hometown of Esmeraldas on Saturday night.
A tribute Sunday will see the athlete's coffin placed in a burning chapel in a football stadium in the town, said the sports ministry.
- 'Greatest sprinter in our history' - Quinonez's killing comes as violence has spiked dramatically in Ecuador in recent months. Between January and October this year, the country registered almost 1,900 homicides, compared to about 1,400 in all of 2020, according to the government.
President Lasso decreed a state of emergency throughout the country on Monday, due to last 60 days with the military to take to the streets to patrol and carry out searches.
Quinonez was preparing for training in the United States with a view to his official return to the tracks and eventual participation in the World Athletics Championships in Oregon next year.
The Ecuadorian Olympic Committee said "the surprise departure" of Quinonez "leaves deep pain, but his legacy as the greatest sprinter in our history will always remain in our hearts.""Regrettable about our dear #alexquinonez, my heartfelt condolences to his family and his loved ones," fellow Ecuadorian athlete cyclist Richard Carapaz, who won gold in the men's individual road race at Tokyo 2020, said on Twitter.
A serious contender for the podium at the Tokyo Olympics, Quinonez could not compete due to a sanction from the International Athletics Federation for not correctly reporting his whereabouts for out-of-competition anti-doping tests.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Bugti assures transporters for addressing their problems
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar meets foreign min ..
3 drug peddlers arrested, hashish recovered
1496,990 children given polio drops in five days: DC
Six terrorists killed, hideout busted in N Waziristan IBO: ISPR
Pakistan, Qatar agree to further expand trade, investment ties
Sindh cabinet approves Rs177.5m to strengthen, mobilize various wings of police
Faisal Karim Kundi takes oath as new KP Governor
Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Chaudhry seeks more vibrant ..
Tahaffuz Manzil Foster Home providing care & support to homeless children
PCB proposes April 7 -May 20 window; tweaks in rules for HBL PSL 2025
Field hospitals now operational across Punjab: Azma Bukhari
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
American band promotes intercultural harmony thru music fusions
17 hours ago -
Waste Management – A persistent challenge for MWMC
2 days ago -
Experts for ending child labour
4 days ago -
Labour Day - A reminder for better facilities to workers
4 days ago -
Stage Drama Mohabati Manhoon presents in Arts council Larkana
6 days ago -
Wheat farmers in a fix on price, procurement mechanism
7 days ago
-
Modern tools to help transform crime investigation procedures
7 days ago -
Sanam Marvi captivates audience with mesmerizing performance
8 days ago -
Modern Education Techniques: A pathway to achieve economic development
9 days ago -
Kite Flying: From cultural festival to deadly sport
9 days ago -
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
11 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
13 days ago