Richard Carapaz Denied Spot in 2024 Paris Olympics Road Cycling Team

In a surprising decision, Ecuador's national cycling federation has announced that Richard Carapaz, the country's first Olympic champion in road cycling, will not be representing Ecuador at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Instead, Jhonatan Narváez will be the sole representative in the road cycling race and individual time trial.

Carapaz, who won the gold medal in road cycling at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, will not be defending his title in Paris. The decision has been met with disbelief and anger by members of the Ecuadorian Olympic team and cyclists, who claim it was a political decision based on Carapaz's criticism of the cycling federation and Olympic committee.

Carapaz had accused the selection process of favoring Narváez, but the federation rejected the accusation. The Olympic champion had urged the country's sports ministry to intervene in the decision, but no action has been taken so far.

In a social media post, Carapaz expressed his support for Narváez, saying, "I wish the best of luck to Jhonatan" and adding that he will continue to pursue new goals. Cyclist Fabricio Milton believes the decision was "a political decision based on his criticism of the cycling federation and the Olympic committee."

Carapaz is the first Ecuadorian to win a grand tour, having won the 2019 Giro d'Italia. He has also made the podium at the Tour de France and Spanish Vuelta. Carapaz has not finished any grand tour since 2022, but won a stage and finished seventh in the Tour de Romandie in Switzerland in April this year.

Narváez, meanwhile, won the road cycling race in the Pan American Games in Santiago last year. The Ecuadorian Cycling Federation's decision to give him the spot for the Paris Olympics has sparked controversy within the Ecuadorian Olympic team and cycling community.

Ultimately, the decision to exclude Richard Carapaz from the 2024 Paris Olympics has generated significant debate and discontent among Ecuadorian athletes and fans. As Carapaz continues to pursue new goals, the spotlight now shifts to Narváez as he prepares to represent Ecuador in the upcoming Games.

Key Takeaways

• Richard Carapaz won't represent Ecuador at 2024 Paris Olympics.
• Jhonatan Narváez will be Ecuador's sole representative in road cycling.
• Carapaz accused the selection process of favoring Narváez, but was rejected.
• Carapaz won the gold medal in road cycling at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
• The decision has sparked controversy and debate among Ecuadorian athletes and fans.