Love for Sport

While Zapata Ironman was living in the United States, he had opportunities to practice and participate in his favorite sports: basketball, tennis, swimming, biking, triathlon, Ultra sports, scuba diving, karate…… .

Nondiscrimination

He also was able to involve his two children in the sports that they liked. Besides participating in international events, they had unconditional access to quality facilities without restrictions on age, sex, religion, color, origin, social group, etc. And thanks to excelling in their favorite sports, the children managed to gain scholarships.

Obesity Levels

In 2009 the obesity levels in Mexico caught his attention. He wondered how it was possible that a country so rich in outdoor recreational areas (National Parks, forests, mountains, deserts, grasslands, beaches) was not promoting them as useful places for children to practice sports.

Serious Competitive

Zapata Ironman has participated in charity events in the United States, helping to raise funds for worthy causes (cancer and liver cirrhosis research, help for premature children, purchasing of books for poor students). With these experiences in mind, he plans to use the 1000 Hour Triathlon event to raise funds for the building of a first level swimming pool that has the necessary facilities and staff for serious competitive events to be scheduled throughout the year.

International Standards

This center would also offer appropriate training programs and prepare full-time coaches and lifeguards, with a team to track progress by age, sex, stroke, speed, endurance as well as giving support for schooling, transportation, proper nutrition. In short, everything an athlete needs to become a champion. The dream is to develop new swimming talents of all ages, from newborn to elderly, and to create athletes capable of performing to international standards.

México Take Care of the “Centavos” and Neglect the “Pesos”

Sports and Health Authorities in México take care of the “centavos” and neglect the “pesos”.
The following statistics from the Human Resources 2010 census of 112.33 millions of citizens demonstrate this assertion:

Sports Talent Development:

Detecting….10.94 millions from 0-9 years old

Building….12.42 Millions from 10-19 years old

Getting Results….9.01 Millions from 20-29 years old

Application of Experience….23.06 millions from 30 years and older

Athletes with Excellent Attitude of Participation….Rural Population 27.76 millions

Even with a budget of 160 billion pesos to fight obesity, the country is losing up to 250 billion pesos annually due to the effects of malnutrition in the people. Rather than wasting funds on poorly conceived and inefficient programs, half of the Obesity Budget should be used to repair or build and promote sports facilities. 80 billion pesos would go a long way towards creating a serious sport culture, as well as enhancing the quality of life for people of all ages. By properly teaching teamwork, competitiveness, discipline, and adherence to a high international standard, México could not only reduce obesity, poor nutrition, and social backwardness but also reduce the amount of bureaucracy in sports programs. With proper training beginning at an early age and continuing throughout life, México’s athletes would have a greater chance of adding to the few Olympic medals earned to date: Total Olympic medals Won by México : 62 (13 Gold, 22 Silver, 27 Bronze) Individual Athletes (More than One) 17 (6 Gold, 4 Silver, 7 Bronze), Diver, Joaquin Capilla (1 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze), Total By Team: 9 (4 Gold, 5 Bronze), by Discipline: Equestrian 5 (3 Gold, 2 Bronze).