The COM, between haste and hope
María José Alcalá, the president of the Mexican Olympic Committee (COM), seems to be playing a game of chess against time. And no, it’s not a *”Why are you running?”* meme with the clock chasing her, but almost. The reason: World Aquatics must say yes to the brand new Mexican Federation of Aquatic Sports, which is replacing the old Swimming Federation. The deadline? The World Championships in Singapore, on July 11. Spoiler: there is no room to procrastinate.
Alcalá, with the calm of someone who knows that coffee is no longer enough, commented: *”They must accept the Federation in the General Assembly of Aquatic Waters. It is already one peso less… although the bureaucratic procedures are slower than rush hour traffic”*. Even so, at COM they trust more than a K-pop fan in the next comeback: *”They are on the right track”*.
Cycling is also getting on the train
If you thought the drama of the federations ended there, hold my *mineral water*. The International Cycling Union (UCI) would be about to recognize the new Mexican Cycling Federation between August and September. Bernardo de la Garza, former head of Conade and probably the only one who knows how to pedal in this mess, would be in charge. According to Alcalá, *”22 representatives of national cycling have already met, because the UCI does not accept ‘I’ll do it tomorrow'”*.
And although it sounds like *”trust the process”*, the president of the COM insists that both federations *”are on the right track”*. In other words, more advanced than your gym goal in January. Of course, the UCI and World Aquatics still need to give the go-ahead, because in sport, like on Tinder, without a match there is no action.
What’s next? Wait, cross your fingers and avoid any procedure getting lost in limbo like your socks in the washing machine. Meanwhile, the COM remains as optimistic as a millennial buying the lottery.
Are you intrigued by how this federation drama will end? Share the note and continue exploring more sports stories that mix bureaucracy, sweat and a little faith. #COMvsElMundo
Note: We are not responsible if after reading this you feel like organizing your own competitive nap federation.
