Olympic medalist chides state for presenting a check without funds

An Olympic medalist was grateful for the 50,000 peso check (about US $2,500) she received for her performance at the Tokyo Games — until she tried to cash it at the bank.

Aremi Fuentes won bronze in women’s weightlifting at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. She said she was later given a check by the Baja California Governor Jaime Bonilla but the bank said there were no funds to cover it.

“We were given a prize of 50,000 pesos in recognition of what we did in the Olympic Games. We even had an official photo taken … it’s not just that the check doesn’t have funds, I’ve been told that the check doesn’t exist,” she said.

“Other Olympic medalists who went to Tokyo 2020 were given 150,000 pesos for winning medals, plus a salary of 20,000 per month, while I earn 3,000 monthly plus 3,500 for food. I have been representing the state since 2014; it seems like a mockery what they have done, to give me a check in front of the media and it doesn’t exist; it doesn’t have funds,” she added.

The weightlifter posted on social media to explain that she feared she wouldn’t receive the money. “I don’t know if they will retaliate, it is possible that they will delay with speeches and promises until November when the government changes and for that reason it is now or never.”

Fuentes is also waiting for a prize that will be delivered by the federal government from money raised through the presidential raffle on September 15.

The weightlifter won her medal by lifting 245 kilos. Ecuador’s Neisi Patricia Dajomes Barrera won gold after lifting 263 kilos.

With reports from ESPN and El Universal 

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
Conibio group in Playa Baghdad

Space debris on Mexico’s Bagdad Beach might be from a launch by SpaceX

0
Environmentalists have collected more than 200 fragments from the beach on the Gulf Coast of Tamaulipas. Their connection to the Sept. 28 SpaceX launch from nearby Bolsa Chica, Texas, is suspected but not confirmed.
IMSS workers protesting in Mexico City on Oct. 13, 2026

Healthcare workers protest in virtually every state over pay, shortages and staffing

6
In addition to higher pay and better working conditions, IMSS workers have a range of other demands, including the allocation of resources equivalent to 7% of GDP to healthcare and the right to speak out about problems in their facilities.
Mexican flag

The IMF casts doubt on Mexico’s chances of cracking the top 10 of world economies by 2030

3
President Sheinbaum's economic policy blueprint, Plan México, envisions returning Mexico to being one of the world's 10 strongest economies. The International Monetary Fund has just issued a reminder that it won't be easy.
BETA Version - Powered by Perplexity