The Ecuadorian Olympic Committee has urged its government to release the financial resources needed for its delegation to travel and compete at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. COE president Jorge Delgado Panchana remains silent, observing, his gaze searching for answers he has yet to find on the edge of the Panama Canal -and the South American Youth Games– where humidity and high temperatures frame this interview with SportsIn, exposing the serious situation facing his country.

Despite this bleak scenario with Ecuadorian authorities, specifically with Vice Minister of Education, Culture and Sport Roberto Ibañez, Delgado remains firm with his board, seeking recognition of the election and the delivery of documents that would allow the organisation to function and fulfil the mandate of Ecuador’s sports federations.

President, it has been quite some time since the election that renewed your mandate at the head of the COE. Why have you not been recognised and what is the reason for not validating your re-election?

To answer your questions, I will give a brief summary: the COE is a private institution governed by the Olympic Charter of the International Olympic Committee. Therefore, we must align with our country’s Sports Law, as they provide the financial resources for federations, athletes, preparation and competition in major events of the Olympic cycle, namely South American Games, Pan American Games and the Summer, Winter and Youth Olympic Games.

This is where the conflict arises, because the State, by controlling financial power, wants to go beyond its authority and regulate or impose governance periods on the COE itself, overriding the decision of the IOC, which recognises our board as legitimate and compliant with all statutory rules. In fact, Roberto Ibañez himself, who previously held the presidency of the Guayas federation and was a candidate, publicly recognised the election, but once he became Vice Minister, he blocked our funding and prevented access to COE offices located within the Guayas Federation under a fifty-year agreement.

Ultimately, they are suffocating us from all sides so that we resign and allow them to control Olympic sport in Ecuador at their discretion.

The Youth Olympic Games in Dakar are approaching in October, and you do not have the resources to fund your delegation’s trip to Senegal or their preparation. Is it true that the COE has set itself a one-month deadline to decide whether to participate or withdraw?

Indeed, we have no more time. We must inform the Dakar Local Organising Committee of our situation because the few resources we had were invested in these Youth Games in Panama, along with solidarity support from Panam Sports and ODESUR. Without them it would have been impossible to bring our delegation here, and most concerning is that many of these young Ecuadorian athletes are the same ones who should compete in Dakar due to their age and because this event is key preparation for the Olympic Games.

They are effectively erasing our athletes’ dreams overnight, without considering the damage to the country’s image or the consequences that may come from the IOC if government interference is confirmed. It would not be surprising if in the coming weeks the COE is suspended from all international sporting activity and its athletes are forced to compete under the Olympic Flag or as Neutral Athletes.

What you are saying is extremely serious for your country and its athletes. How has Vice President Jefferson Pérez, Olympic gold medallist in Atlanta 1996, been involved, considering a potential IOC suspension would be a major scandal?

First, I want to say that Jefferson Pérez has been unwavering in defending our autonomy and independence as sports leaders. His presence on the Executive Committee and as Head of Mission has been revitalising. Young athletes admire and respect him; beyond being Ecuador’s first Olympic medallist, he is approachable, understands athletes’ needs and can address them quickly, like a race walker.

Today, all leaders are fighting to be respected and to prevent political interests from violating the values of Olympism. We work ad honorem, driven by the goal of overcoming challenges, improving in every Olympic participation and prioritising sports that deliver results. With limited resources, we must invest wisely so that these young athletes can become the next generation representing the country with pride, supported above all by their families.

The future demands a quick solution

As evening falls in Panama, fleeting stars appear – perhaps a sign of hope. Maybe a signal that circumstances will align and that the stubbornness of those seeking to destabilise an institution like the COE, which stands beyond personal or political interests and defends democratic processes, will eventually give way. The situation remains in a state of limbo, but sooner rather than later, it will reach its conclusion.