"VAN" (Sports Desk, New Delhi - 06.10.2025) :: Colombia and Gabriel Garcia Marquez are synonymous. The writer of this article used the name of the famous Colombian writer to break the ice with two Colombian athletes at the IndianOil New Delhi 2025 World Para Athletics Championships at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday, the last day of the championships.
Andres Felipe Mosquera Neira and Mayerli Buitrago Ariza upon hearing the name of the Nobel laureate became receptive all of a sudden, and gave their full co-operation despite understanding very little English. Of course, translation apps came in handy.
Neira, gold winner in men’s discus throw F44, quickly understood that the Marquez reference had been made to draw his attention. “Yes, Marquez is very popular worldwide. I didn’t know that Indians have also read him. ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’, which is one of his most famous novels, everybody in Colombia has read it at some point,” he said.
Neira has a congenital disability in his right leg, that is from birth. In his case, the ankle bones are stuck together. There is no cartilage. The 40-year-old threw his personal best, that is 60.26 to walk away with the gold on Friday. He talked about his whole experience in India so far. To say that he waxed lyrical would be an understatement. “It is my first time on the Asian continent. Coming to India, it is very far from our country, a 20-22-hour trip but we are very, very happy to get to know India, to experience this culture. To know how they prepare for these types of events. It was really worth coming here and having this experience. The Indian community has treated us very well. The hotel we are staying at, Novotel, has been perfect. The food, the treatment of the people at the hotel, the transportation we have from the hotel to the stadium. It’s been pleasant,” he said.
Neira also spoke of the iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in glowing terms. “The main stadium is very well equipped. The track and the throwing pit on the alternate track, where the athletes warm up are also very good. It has two pits for throwers and a third pit next to it exclusively for throwers. The gym is great. The hydration is good. All the attention they give to the logistics for the event is perfect. They guide you very well. The awards ceremony is also perfect. Everything is very good,” he said.
Buitrago, who won women’s shot put F41 gold on the opening day of the championships, also spoke of her Indian experience. “I am very excited to share this wonderful moment here in India. Thanks to India for providing us with spectacular venues suitable for this world championship,” the 38-year-old said. By Sunday noon, the Colombians were sixth in the medal tally with six gold, 10 silver and three bronze.
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