Pedro Pichardo considers retirement

Olympic triple jump runner-up Pedro Pichardo has admitted he is considering retirement from today, acknowledging the last few years have been difficult due to problems with Benfica and a lack of government support.

“I lost those emotions, that happiness I had from the sport, and from today on I was thinking about ending my career,” he told reporters in the mixed zone of the Stade de France shortly after winning silver in the triple jump.

Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion in the discipline, Pichardo, said his father, who is also his coach, as well as his mother and wife, tried to convince him to at least finish the season and then think about whether to continue or not.

“But in my mind now is to stay here. To stop here. Today was my last competition. My family is still talking to me to see if I can stay longer, I am in good health, I am still 31 years old, I don’t know, I will think about it and see if I continue,” he added.

Pichardo won silver today at Paris 2024 with a jump of 17.84 meters, two centimeters behind Spaniard Jordan Diaz (17.86), who replaced him after already beating him at the 2024 European Championships in Rome, while the bronze medal went to Italy’s Andy Diaz with a result of 17.64.

“I promised my mother many years ago that I would come to the Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The last few years have been difficult. [com] problems in the club too. Unfortunately, in Portugal we have no support from the institutions. The government also only looks at football. We are athletes who should be here, but we have no support,” he criticized.

The athlete said it would be good to meet Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, who was at the Stade de France today to watch his race, and see if the government could “provide support for athletes outside of football”.

“The only thing I will ask the government, the minister, the president to do is to support us. I know that here in Portugal it is just football, but we are also athletes, we also need a little. They are not asking us for much, but a little. From what you give to football, I think a little is enough for us,” he said.

While he admits that the rivalry with Jordan Dias gives him “motivation” and brings him pleasure – “he’s beaten me twice now and obviously I’m hurt” – the two-time Olympic medallist from Portugal admits his mind can “deal with all the difficulties” he faces when he arrives in Portugal.

“I always say: I’m old, I already have three daughters, I have a family, I’m 31, I’m not the same young man who goes to training with the same emotions as at the beginning. I need to train with a good structure. I think I’ve come this far, I’ve achieved results to have a structure today, and unfortunately in Portugal it’s also difficult, thanks to the support of the Setubal Chamber. The Federation. [Portuguesa de Atletismo]”Unfortunately, things are not going very well,” he lamented.

Pichardt spoke about the conditions in which he trains, noting that the Setubal track is “not in good condition.”

“The Setubal City Council calls the club and asks for help to repair the holes. The board is bad, the sandbox is bad, the gym is bad… it’s also difficult. From Monday to Saturday, everything is every day. Training, without support, without conditions, is also difficult,” he concluded.

AMG // Japan

Lusa/The End