Why does Mexico have so much trouble putting out a strong Olympic team?

Question

Someone Stateside told me there is a perfectly valid reason but failed to expand.

Answer 1

Because anyone that can run, jump or swim is already in the US!!

Answer 2

You need to have strong funded programs at the grass roots plus an overall interest in enough of the events. For example football and boxing are huge, but in the Olympics the tournament is restricted to players 23-under (only 3 over) , so it comes down to your 23 and under program. (This rule has been in effect since 1992) So far Mexico has never won a medal. Culture doesn't accept women players.

Olympic Boxing is only for amateurs you need better funding and training to develop good amateur boxers. Russia funds their program from Oil , Cuba has Castro investing in this sport. Hard to sell idea of not making money especially if people in your family are counting on you to give them a better life.

Of course Mexico plays baseball, but MLB doesn't let their current 40 man roster players participate. Hence no repeat of Mexico beating the USA 2-0 in the WBC.

Finally it takes lots of money to develop swimming,equestrian, tennis,many of the other sports that require facilities and coaching many people in Mexico do not have the resources. Of course the upper classes can send their children to elite schools even over seas where they can get good training and coaching. Many of the sports aren't part of the sport culture hard to justify funding. Children go into the sports they see other athletes having success.

For the record Mexico had had success in marathon running, race walking, taekwondo, diving, and weightlifting so look for these sports. Ana Guevara also won a silver medal in athletics 400m in 2004.

Answer 3

I am sorry i only have a factitious answer....


They have based theirs on the English model.

Answer 4

They have run away to the USA