Javier Aguirre: retirement is approaching after leaving the National Team

The Spanish team practiced outdoors in New Jersey under dangerous air conditions, due to smoke from forest fires in Canada.

On Thursday morning, the players trained in East Hanover with the sun hidden by haze. The press was only able to observe the first 15 minutes of a session scheduled for one hour.

Meanwhile, Argentina trained in Marietta, Georgia, an area that avoided the effects of the smoke that the wind pushes from Ontario to the southeast.

Authorities recommended staying indoors or wearing a mask due to air quality levels between unhealthy and dangerous, even for people without health problems.

Dr Courtney Howard of the Global Climate and Health Alliance warned:

“These are high-level athletes who move a lot of air through their lungs…they really shouldn’t be training outside if air quality levels are in dangerous ranges.”

He suggested looking for indoor facilities with air conditioning.

Asked about this, FIFA and the Royal Spanish Football Federation did not immediately respond. The smoke is expected to clear before Sunday’s final in East Rutherford at 3 p.m.

Air quality improved Thursday in East Hanover, from “unhealthy” in the morning to “unhealthy for sensitive groups” in the afternoon, according to the EPA’s Air Now. Particle pollution exceeded the WHO standard by more than seven times. The forecast anticipates a “moderate” level for Sunday.

Smoke from wildfires, which are intensifying with global warming, affects multiple systems in the body. It can trigger asthma and inflammation, according to doctors.

Mary Johnson, a researcher at the Harvard School of Public Health, noted:

“It is not healthy for anyone to be in the smoke, especially if you exercise… even healthy people can have health effects.”

Luke Montrose, a toxicologist at Colorado State University, said the smoke contains at least 1,000 toxins, such as formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds, similar to those in cigarette or diesel smoke.

The Mexico Diving Cup began in Guadalajara with an intense day of preliminaries. It is one of the key competitions for the Mexican National Team, which is preparing for the Central American and Caribbean Games in the Dominican Republic. Athletes seek to measure their level and gain confidence.

Results of the day

At the Metropolitan Aquatic Center, the women’s three-meter springboard and men’s 10-meter platform events opened the competition. Lía Cueva was the best Mexican on trampoline, with 298.55 points and third place. It was led by the Chinese Yiping Long (314.10) and Shan Lin (322.65). Aranza Vázquez was fourth with 294.15, Mía Cueva seventh with 264.35 and María Fernanda Sixtos eighth with 259.90.

On the men’s platform, Kenny Zamudio took second place with 439.80 points, confirming his good moment. Randal Willars was third with 427.00 and Kevin Berlin was fourth with 426.70. The Mexican delegation left good feelings for the upcoming international commitments.

The Mexican archery delegation continues to grow. Dafne Quintero and Ana Paula Vázquez achieved their qualification for the World Cup Final, an event endorsed by World Archery that will be held in Mexican territory in September.

Both athletes secured their ticket thanks to the points accumulated during the international series. Now, they will look for the podium with the support of the local fans.

Four representatives confirmed

With the incorporation of Quintero and Vázquez, Mexico already has four qualified goalkeepers. Andrea Becerra, Dafne Quintero and Sebastián García will compete in compound bow. Ana Paula Vázquez is the only representative in recurve bow so far.

Behind these names is a season with solid results. After four stages—Puebla, Türkiye, China and Madrid—the national archery accumulates several medals.

Medals that support the moment

• Puebla: bronze in women’s compound team, bronze in men’s compound team and bronze in women’s recurve team.
• Shanghai: Sebastián García won gold in individual compound bow.
• Antalya: Andrea Becerra won gold in individual compound bow.
• Madrid: the mixed composite team (Miguel Becerra and Ximena Estrada) took silver. Also, silver in the men’s composite team.

These results reflect the good level of Mexican archery heading into the Final. Quintero and Vázquez join a list that promises to fight at home.