Pan American Games 2023: Cyclist Aranza Villalon's emotional tribute after bronze to murdered brother
The cyclist won bronze in the women's individual time trial, then dedicated the medal to her late brother, who was killed just days before the Pan American Games began.
Cycling Road
After the results of the women's cycling individual time trial at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago were confirmed, the bronze medallist Aranza Villalon ran a gamut of emotion, a happiness tinged with sadness.
The Chilean had just won a medal on home soil – but not only that, she had done so in the face of unthinkable personal family tragedy.
Villalon had not long lost her brother, who was murdered in the lead-up to the Santiago 2023 Games. However, with her training in the final stretch, the Chilean cyclist – who competed in the Spanish grand tour, La Vuelta Femenina, in May – was unable to be present for the funeral.
It was thus a natural emotional reaction shown by Villalon, which captured the hearts of many who heard her story.
"I came for gold as competing at home is a plus," Villalon told the Olympics.com Spanish podcast. "But anyway today could have been different, because a few days ago I lost my brother at the hands of an assassin and it's truly painful.
"It's a shame that I competed with this, but I also know that the hard work I have been doing for so many years had to be reflected today."