Guatemala is aiming high
Guatemala is still a developing sporting country. Since the country's first Olympic medal at the 2012 games, progression has continued - and now the next steps are being taken, thanks to German development aid.
Guatemala on the up?
In the overall medals table of the Olympic Games, Guatemala is ranked 108th. The Central American country has won just a single silver medal so far. Oliver Scheer, foreign sports expert for the German Olympic Sports Confederation, wants to change that.
Workshop of the World Association
Together with his colleague Adriana Lopez, Scheer regularly directs athletics workshops in Guatemala City, sponsored by the IAAF Kids Athletics organisation. In the last decade, more than 1.5 million children have participated in the workshops in 100 countries.
More than 5,000 children trained
Oliver Scheer has already given nearly 70 seminars within two years in Guatemala City, with more than 5,000 children taking part. The aim of the events are to convey athletics techniques and discover talent - with the propsect of an Olympic bid in 2028 or 2032.
From trash to sports equipment
If professional sports equipment is not available or too expensive, people have to improvize. Together with Scheer, social workers build sports equipment for athletics events from garbage. And the kids want to help too.
Hope in a deprived area
In "Zone 21" area of Guatemala City, violence and gang warfare dominates people's everyday lives. Many children say that it is even too dangerous to play here. A "Mini-Atletismo" event organised by the city guides gives the children a new perspective on life.
Fun instead of crime
Guatemala has one of the highest murder rates in the world, even 13-year olds are recruited to kill. It is all the more imporant, according to the social workers, that children are shown the ways of "Zone 21" through sport. And the fun is clearly not lacking here.
Training at 5:30
Guatemala City has a traffic problem: even rush-hour no longer exists. Therefore, to avoid the issues, the athletes are already training at 5:30am. The national stadium, named after the Guatemalan Boston marathon winner from 1952, Mateo Flores, offers the best conditions.
From nowhere to silver
Erick Barrondo has achieved what many compatriots can only dream of: from being very poor, the walker has become a star in the country. His silver medal in the 2012 London Olympic Games is so far the only Olympic medal Guatemala has won.
"We believe in ourselves"
The head of the National Olympic Committee, Gerado Aguirre, the sport in Guatemala looks to be on the right track. "Since the silver medal of Erick Barrondo, the mood is different. Each of us can celebrate our success and it makes us believe in ourselves."
Guatemala wants to be in the medals table
Guatemala will win another medal in Rio or Tokyo says Aguirre. Endurance events are where the athletes should do best.