In a conversation with SportsIn during the Ayacucho–Lima 2025 Bolivarian Games, Marco Arze Mendoza, President of the Comité Olímpico Bolivariano, outlined the moment Bolivia is experiencing as it enters an institutional transition following the change of government. He described a scenario defined by the need to rebuild structures, improve coordination with state authorities and strengthen national federations as the new Olympic cycle begins.
Arze highlighted that reorganising the sports system is the country’s most urgent challenge. “There has to be a transition process. We have just had a new national government; there needs to be an understanding between the public sector, the Olympic Committee and the international federations.” He added that reversing the previous model is essential, as “the former system went 20 years without recognising a single national federation. The idea now is to reverse that, coordinate actions and obviously look for strong sporting results at the international level.”
Increasing Bolivia’s Olympic presence
The president explained that the lack of formal recognition for numerous federations over the past two decades has had a significant impact on Bolivia’s competitive structure, limiting access to international events and long-term planning. Restoring that legal and administrative framework is therefore a priority to stabilise the national sports system.
Arze emphasised that better coordination aims to rebuild Bolivia’s international presence. “We want to reach the Olympic Games with as many athletes as possible and obviously fight for a medal.” The objective is to improve the country’s participation at regional and global events while restoring the competitive foundations of its federations.
A new sports law for the upcoming cycle
Looking ahead to the road to Los Angeles 2028, the President of the Comité Olímpico Bolivariano said the focus is on consolidating a well-prepared and competitive team. “The idea is that from here, in four years, we have a team capable of achieving a dignified representation at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.”
He noted that this target requires regulatory progress and stronger institutional coordination. “We need to talk about a new sports law and genuinely consider how to support athletes so they can improve their performance.” Sports planning and state cooperation will be essential to creating better training conditions.
Prospects for international projection
Bolivian sport enters this new stage with a recent history marked by limited results at regional competitions and longstanding instability within several federations. The committee is now working to recover lost ground through reorganisation and technical development, with the goal of increasing participation in major international events.
Arze stressed that the objective is to build a sustainable competitive structure, capable of regaining presence at regional and global levels and expanding opportunities for athletes. With the institutional rebuild underway, Bolivia aims to strengthen its long-term Olympic project and support the emergence of new talent in the coming years.
