Olympic cities Mexico '68, L.A. '84 & Atlanta '96
A REVIEW OF IMPORTANT EPISODES FROM THE GAMES IN MEXICO AND THE UNITED STATES IN PREPARATION FOR PARIS 2024
GAMES
The United States and Mexico have both hosted the glorious Olympic Games. The United States has hosted four times: St. Louis in 1904, Los Angeles in 1932 and 1984, and Atlanta in 1996. Mexico hosted in 1968. Here are some facts about the three most recent editions in these countries.
BY: DANIEL ERNESTO BENET SÁNCHEZ NORIEGA AND ALEJANDRA ICELA MARTÍNEZ RODRÍGUEZ
ILUSTRATION: ALEJANDRO
OYERVIDES
JENNIFER MUCINOFERNANDEZ
THE TALENT OF THIS MEXICAN AMERICAN WILL SHINE AT THE OLYMPICS
Jennifer Mucino-Fernandez, at 21 years old, will participate in the Paris 2024 Olympics, marking her second appearance in these games, the highest stage for athletes worldwide. She feels more involved in the process of earning her place than she did during the Tokyo 2020 edition; she assures that there is no comparable feeling to participating in this international competition and this time, she’s going for gold.
BY DANIEL BENET
PHOTO: SPECIAL
In an exclusive interview with El Heraldo de México USA, she shared her story and expectations for this sporting event.Her record of victories and championships is long. Highlights in her medal tally include gold and silver in team events at the Pan American Championships in 2022 and 2024, respectively. She also won team gold at the 2023 Pan American Games and gold in mixed team and bronze in individual events at the 2023 World Cups.
As a Hispanic representative on the US team, she feels proud and notes that she has seen an increase in the diversity of origins and heritage among Team USA members. Jennifer was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to Mexican parents, holding both American and Mexican nationalities. She and her family moved to Mexico when she was three years old, where she stayed until she was 17, when she returned to the United States, living for a year in Boston and then in San Diego, California.
Since she was seven years old, living in Mexico, she had the goal of becoming an Olympic athlete in mind. Hoping to start her preparation for her goal as soon as possible, she decided to try various sports, including swimming, diving, and gymnastics. In some of these disciplines, she was warned that they could take her to a high level, but she would not reach the required Olympic level, as despite her young age, for some of these activities she was already behind.
Memorable competitions for her are Paris in 2021, and Colombia in 2023.
MUCINO
Mucino shared her message for boys and girls who want to become highlevel athletes and achieve the glory of participating in the Olympics:
She’s
It was in a magazine about the Pan American Games held in Guadalajara in 2012, which her father gave her, that Jennifer had her first encounter with archery. She started practicing traditional archery at nine years old at a shooting range an hour away from her home, where she trained for about a year. From there, she was referred to a professional coach at a range two hours from her home. The coach trained her as an archer and her mother as a coach simultaneously. After a year, due to health complications, her coach had to stop, and her mother took over her training. Despite practicing for around two years in what were almost vacant lots, she continued to improve her performance and achieve results in competitions. This led to her being invited to the National Center for the Development of Sports Talents and High Performance (CNAR) in Mexico City.
At CNAR, she trained from ages 12 to 15 and made significant progress. The level of dedication was extremely demanding; Jennifer could only leave on weekends. The rest of the time was spent at the training center, perfecting her skills. She lived, studied, and trained long hours in the sport she chose. She was selected for the national Olympics and was achieving municipal and state championships, as well as top positions in national games. After three years at the center, she felt burnt out. She returned to training and competitions and now finds herself days away from the Paris Olympic Games. She feels very satisfied with her teammates, with whom she will compete in the Olympics. She has a strong relationship with them, and besides being sports colleagues, they are important friends. When asked which athletes she admires who have inspired her career as an athlete, she confidently responds that it is her teammates in the sport. She has seen them grow and develop, overcoming challenges, and it is from them that she draws her inspiration.
“The people I would admire are my friends,” Jennifer said, noting that she has seen them develop, struggle in the field, and come out ahead - “we have all worked hard; all those who could be my idols are my friends.”
She also has a role model she watched compete as a child. Ki Bo Bae, a South Korean archer who won gold at the London 2012 Olympics, was an example when Jennifer was growing up. However, her admiration for her team comes from recognizing what goes on behind the scenes. She only saw Ki Bo Bae compete and shoot magnificently, but experiencing the process behind that, the struggles, is something she has lived through with her teammates.
Although the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are considered the first to be gender-equal, sports still have significant gaps to close in terms of participation, representation, and pay, to name a few. Jennifer notes that archery is a very noble sport in these terms, and women’s participation is significant at these competitive levels. She describes certain conditions, such as strong winds, where the bows used by men can have an advantage that creates differences in scores between genders. Jennifer believes she competes for the flag she identifies with and acknowledges a friendly rivalry with the Mexican archery teams, as Mexico also has a good level in this Olympic sport. Let’s remember the silver and bronze medals won by Aída Román and Mariana Avitia in London 2012, as well as the bronze medal by Alejandra Valencia and Luis Álvarez in Tokyo 2020.
“We are friends, but in sports, we are always seeing who shoots better. There is healthy competition,” - said the archer, laughing. In Olympic sports, those with dual nationality who choose to change the country they compete for must wait at least three years from the last time they represented the previous country to make the change. In terms of these levels of competition, three years can mean being left out.
Currently, she lives near the border with Mexico, so she has access to some of the things she misses most from one of her two countries: Mexican food. However, she misses tamales, tacos, roasted corn, and Mexican sweets, particularly those with chili and tamarind.
Daniel Aceves Villagrán
The Olympic Values Towards Paris 2024
THE OLYMPIC MOVEMENT SERVES TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE THROUGH SPORT, BASED ON UNIVERSAL VALUES SUCH AS TOLERANCE, SOLIDARITY, AND PEACE. THESE ARE ACHIEVED THROUGH EXCELLENCE, RESPECT, AND FRIENDSHIP. ACCORDING TO THE OLYMPIC AGENDA, SPORT MUST PUT ITS INTEGRATIVE AND UNIFYING POWER AT THE SERVICE OF HUMANITY.
The universality of sport and the values of Olympism are fostered and promoted by the work of the 206 National Olympic Committees worldwide, a network of organizations, Olympic Games organizing committees, companies, and people committed to sport, the ideas, and the values on which Olympism rests.
Globally, it is estimated that there are 110,000 Olympians, and being an Olympian means effort, discipline, responsibility, pride, capacity, and a vocation for service in the political, economic, social, and cultural spheres.
The Olympic movement has
always made sport a tool to pro mote peace, understanding, and to celebrate the athletic achieve ments of athletes. The values of fair play, respect, and the pursuit of excellence are deeply rooted the heart of the Olympic spirit. Without a doubt, sport is at the service of humanity.
Firstly, the World Health Orga nization has indicated that physical activity from childhood and adolescence improves cardiorespiratory, muscular, and bone health, reducing the risk of future Non-Communicable Diseases, as well as psychological benefits such as controlling anxiety and depression.
At the social development level, it achieves self-confidence, interaction, and integration;
adoption of healthy behaviors (avoiding alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs) and better school performance.
Values are the principles and ideas that define us, guide our behavior, and provide standards by which we judge whether an action is positive or negative. Family, school, institutions, organizations, and all those entities that promote sport and physical activity have the opportunity to contribute positively to society.
When physical activity and related experiences encourage social and moral responsibility, social behavior, and mutual respect, they can be an excellent foundation for education.
The values of fair play, respect, and the pursuit of excellence are deeply rooted in the heart of the Olympic spirit.
The didactic approaches that prepare children and young people for life through the teaching of values are known as “values-based education”.
SOME OF THE TOPICS IN THE OPPORTUNITY LANDSCAPE
INCLUDE:
Joy of Effort: Young people develop and practice their motor, behavioral, and intellectual skills by challenging themselves and each other in physical, motor activities, games, and sports.
Fair Play: It is a sporting concept that today applies in various fields worldwide. Learning to behave appropriately in sport can develop and reinforce that behavior in society and life.
Respect: When young people in the multicultural world we live in learn to accept and respect diversity, and maintain a peaceful attitude, peace and understanding are promoted.
Pursuit of Excellence: Focusing on excellence can help young people make positive and balanced decisions and achieve their best in any goal they set for themselves.
Balance Body, Will, and Mind: Learning is achieved through the whole body, not just the mind. Physical improvement and learning through movement contribute to the development of learning on both the moral and intellectual levels.
SPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE
On August 19, 2013, the United Nations General Assembly in resolution 67/L.77, decided to proclaim April 6 as the “International Day for Development and Peace”, in accordance with the date of the first edition of the Olympic Games (1896), held in the city of Athens, Greece.
Sport
According to the United Nations, “sport plays a fundamental role as a promoter of social integration and economic development in different geographical, cultural, and political contexts.
The Olympic Values Education Program (OVEP) consists of a series of educational resources created by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The focus of OVEP is to generate social development; cognitive development; physical development, and academic development that will contribute to the personality development of children and young people, based on the context “of Olympic sports”.
understood the importance of emotions and imagination as educational tools. By organizing the Games, he connected sport and culture, created symbols, and encouraged the celebration of ceremonies with music and parades.”
Some of these symbolisms include: the Olympic rings and the Olympic flag, the Olympic motto, the Olympic flame and torch relay, the Olympic anthem, opening and closing ceremonies, the Olympic oath, and medal presentation ceremonies.
The Olympic sports program has developed over time due to the continuous integration of new sports. For a sport to become part of this program, it must be governed by an international federation recognized by the IOC and comply with the Olympic Charter, the World Anti-Doping Code, and the Olympic Movement Code on the Prevention of Competition Manipulation.
WHERE TO HEAD THE OLYMPIC AGENDA 2020+5?
1. Strengthen the uniqueness and universality of the Olympic Games;
2. Promote sustainable Olympic Games;
3. Strengthen athletes’ rights and responsibilities;
4. Continue attracting the best athletes;
5. Further strengthen safe sport and protection of Clean athletes;
is a powerful tool to promote the ideals of peace, fraternity, solidarity,
non-violence, tolerance, and justice.
Sport is a very powerful tool to reinforce social ties and networks, and to promote the ideals of peace, fraternity, solidarity, non-violence, tolerance, and justice.”
OLYMPIC DAY
Every year on June 23, Olympic Day celebrates sport and the Olympic values of excellence, respect, and friendship. It is much more than just a sporting event; it is a day when everyone gets moving based on the three pillars of “move, learn, and discover”. National Olympic Committees organize sports, cultural, and educational activities worldwide.
“Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games,
6. Improve and promote the path to the Olympic Games;
7. Coordinate and harmonize the sports calendar;
8. Increase digital engagement with people;
9. Promote the development of virtual sports and engage more with gaming communities;
10. Strengthen the role of sport as an important facilitator of the UN Sustainable Development Goals;
11. Strengthen support for refugees and populations affected by displacement;
12. Go beyond the Olympic community;
13. Continue leading by example in corporate citizenship;
14. Strengthen the Olympic movement through good governance;
15. Innovate revenue generation models.
“The future of our civilization does not rest on economic or political foundations, but depends solely on the direction of education,” said Baron Pierre de Coubertin (Founder of the Olympic Games).
ANDVÍCTOR(1986) JOY(1987), both born in the United States and raised in Tijuana, Mexico.
BY: ALEJANDRA ICELA
MARTINEZ RODRÍGUEZ ILLUSTRATION: ALEJANDRO OYERVIDES
In 2009, when Víctor arrived in Los Angeles, it was the same way it happens to many people, through life’s circumstances, meaning through family and friend networks. In his case, his father and cousin told him to go for 6 months, if he didn’t like it, he could return, but “everything changed, I never went back,” he says.
There are many places in LA where you can find tacos, but few in the Tijuana style. And this is exactly what Víctor had in mind when he arrived and didn’t find the characteristic flavor of this simple delicacy from this border city.
In an exclusive interview with Heraldo USA, the creator of this concept, Victor and his partner Joy, tell us the story of this taco chain, from its origins, their tacos, their sauces, and what’s coming next.
Joy precisely describes this venture: “We sell and represent the Tijuana-style Taco. Although most people in Los Angeles prefer the carne asada taco, at Tacos 1986 we love to represent the Adobada Taco. We believe the best chefs and cooks in the world should have a spit in their kitchen.” We should take note.
FROM STREET CARTS TO BRANCHES
In this story, there are very specific dates that Victor remembers as moments of beginnings and endings, births and deaths. For example, precise beginnings, on September 13, 2018, when Victor convinced Joy, who wanted to fully dive into this project, and then in November of the same year, when in a parking lot, they set up a cart, it quickly became a success. And as a victim of the same success, came an ending that led them to look for another space. Marking another beginning in Koreatown, on January 1 and with an end on March 6, 2019, the day when health inspectors came to tell them they couldn’t sell on the street. This led to another birth, the first of their branches, which opened in June 2019, in Downtown. Followed by another beginning in February 2020, for the second branch in Westwood. And in April 2020, a couple of weeks after the declaration of the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the opening of this branch in Beverly Blvd.
“I USED TO WORK IN CLUBS, I DIDN’T KNOW HOW TO OPEN A BUSINESS.”
With no experience in the restaurant industry, Víctor sought out people who could support him in developing the concept he had, and this is how a chef friend from Tijuana, Jorge Álvarez Rosado, better known as Joy, joined
Víctor and Joy seek to "represent Mexico mediums: the Taco and Tijuana." Confident combination, they persevered until they and aim to be the equivalent
VICTOR AND JOY MET in high school at Bonita Vista High School in Chula Vista in 2005.
AT18, Joysetouttobecomethebest MexicanChefintheWorld.He quicklyrealizedhewantedto beataquero,andin2013,he madehisfirsttacoinNYC.
Mexico in Los Angeles through two Confident that it was the best possible they became the first choice for tacos equivalent of famous hamburgers.
VÍCTOR ARRIVED IN LA IN 2009, to a market with many tacos, but not of that style and flavor. It wasn't until 2017 that he decided to fulfill his dream.
INNOVEMBER2018, andtheysetuptheirfirsttacocart, theirbyJune2019,theyopened firstbranchinDowntown LosAngeles.
the project. He acknowledges that the hardest part was finding the capital, he tells us: “No one could grasp the vision I had, because it was simpler. It didn’t connect. They told me, there’s no business in food, only in alcohol.”
The menu they offer, although simple, has its particularities that are necessary to know to enjoy these tacos. To begin with, as already mentioned, it requires a spit for the famous adobada tacos, known as such in northern Mexico, only without pineapple; its equivalent in Mexico City and the south is the taco al pastor.
As you can imagine, the salsa is essential. Each of the 5 types has its distinctive characteristic. Joy recommends, “the macha makes a good combo with any taco, it’s impossible not to put green salsa on a taco, the strawberry one is the only one that’s spicy and the morita goes incredibly well with the adobada!” The 5 different sauces are great representatives of the authentic flavors of Tijuana Baja California.
TACOS FOR ALL BUDGETS
As for tacos, Joy proudly says they are “the best vegan option in the city, perhaps in the world, with the Mushroom Taco.” And also be accessible to any salary. “And that families come with their children.”
“We have a combo of three tacos: with freshly grilled meat, onion, cilantro, guacamo-
le, and salsa. The guacamole has never been watered down and it never will be as long as I exist!” Joy says, committed to the prices, quality, and flavor of the tacos.
He shares with us that within the menu there is: “the Perron, our off-the-menu item, representing our favorite flour taco/quesadilla ‘El Perron’ from Tacos el Yaqui in Rosarito Baja California.” And this leads him to confess that they would like to offer “an even more valuable and more filling combo adding rice and beans with a fountain drink,” to become “the best taqueria in the world at good prices.”
The certainty with which he shares wanting to be the “In and Out” of tacos, to “represent the taco, represent Tijuana, the border with its authentic street flavor.” And fulfill this goal, which has been the aim since day one, when they started with a cart in a parking lot.
Joy concludes and emphasizes: “We want to grow as an admirable, family business, with literature in California full of fruits, which can only be achieved with discipline, adversity, and progress.”
Víctor achieved what he once decided to do, neither the business plans that “do work,” nor the sale of alcohol, nor the restrictions to sell on the street, and much less the pandemic managed to defeat the idea that this dreamer from Tijuana born in 1986 had.
HELEO LEYVA
After the Covid-19 pandemic, during which many people like him lost their jobs, Heleo decided to help those who couldn't meet one of the basic needs of every human being: food. Why free? "It's not an obligation. Mexicans are like that, helping others comes within us."
MARLON AND HIS COFFEE
Oaxaca gave him the foundations and roots to start his exquisite business in Los Angeles, California. In the 14 years he has lived in California, preparation and perseverance - he assures - were key for Café Santo to reach the place it has today and continue expanding.
ADELAIDA "LA COBRA" RUIZ
In the boxing world, few names resonate with as much strength and experience as Adelaida's. Mother, administrator, and boxer, "La Cobra" has made discipline and organization part of her strategy to succeed. She is world boxing champion and an example of discipline.
THE HISTORY OF LA CITY
Discover it in this video about the Plaza de Arte y Cultura. Learn about the history of one of the largest cities in the United States and be surprised to know that it is mainly a Mexican story. Heraldo USA interviewed Leticia Rhi Buckley, CEO of this cultural center.
CARLOS GONZÁLEZ GUTIÉRREZ
The Consul of Mexico in Los Angeles, Carlos González Gutiérrez, talks about the challenges of the Mexican community in the United States, a population that reaches 3.7 million people. In addition to systemic care, guarantee respect for their rights, one of the main.
THE ORIGINS OF LOS ANGELES
At Heraldo USA we take you to discover everything about the exhibition "LA STARTS HERE!" A look at the untold stories of Mexican-Americans and their participation in the founding of the city as we know it, through its renowned curator and historian, Esperanza Sánchez.
BY: ANGÉLICA SIMÓN UGALDE /
Aman who gives away food, a in the morning, a consul who Mexicans in the United States, promoter of creative talent in barista who sweetens the world with coffee his roots, are all part of the vibrant Mexican El Heraldo de México USA has compiled legacy of migration in art, history, sports, and other sectors in this city of Mexican descent.
Enjoy them
YOU WANT DISCOVER
in this California city, in USA, history, and meaning to the city. through the Heraldo USA on YouTube.
a disciplined boxer who trains at four who serves the largest population of States, a historian and art curator, a in Hollywood, an introverted Oaxacan coffee and hot chocolate while sharing Mexican community in Los Angeles. compiled their stories, reflecting the history, philanthropy, entrepreneurship, city that is home to 3.7 million people
them at Heraldo USA on YouTube
JAVIER HERNÁNDEZ
DACA community has been in legal limbo for over 10 years, not paving the way to US citizenship, but, amid the complexities it represents, Javier, who arrived in the US at just eight years old, is now an outstanding young man in the field of visual effects production.
DIANA LUNA
Originally from Mexico City, Diana is the director of the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP), and from this position, she helps migrants (Mexicans or from any other part of Latin America) who seek to develop a career in the seventh art.
RECYCLING CLOTHING
In what others throw away, Silvia sees an opportunity... to recycle, to create, to not pollute. Together with Lindsay, they want to change the textile industry by giving second chances to clothes that people no longer use. Learn about their business, Suay Sew Shop.
FLOWERS, COFFEE AND ART
In Cuarto Central, Juan and Pilar have created a space for creative development, a studio in charge of holding art and music events. A small initiative that arose during the pandemic is now a focal point for thousands of migrant artists in California. Meet their story through this video.
THROUGH LOS ANGELES WANT TO
MEXICO?
THE ESSENCE OF MOLAA
The Museum of Latin American Art (Molaa) is the main museum in the United States dedicated to Latin American art and culture, located in Long Beach. Discover more about Molaa through interviews with its vice president Solimar Salas and the work of curator Gabriela Urtiaga.
WHAT IS CASA GUERRERO?
Adela is the general director of Casa Guerrero, a space that started as a 'family project' to help a few acquaintances but soon transformed into a community center that made a difference for thousands of Latino migrants in the United States. A helping hand for migrant.
PHOTOART: ARTURO RAMÍREZ
