The Mexican artistic swimming team had to sell bathing suits and towels to pay for their Olympic preparations, but it did not stop them winning three golds at the World Aquatics Artistic Swimming World Cup, drawing praise from the government that cut their funding.
Mexico increased their World Cup medal tally to four on Monday at the competition in Egypt, having traveled there thanks to the support of businessman Carlos Slim.
With three golds and a bronze, they finished second in the medal table behind Spain.
Their first medal came in the mixed team technical event on Saturday, when a statement from the government praising the swimmers raised eyebrows after the Mexican National Commission for Physical Culture and Sport (CONADE) cut support for the team.
“The Mexican artistic swimming team’s historic participation in the World Cup in Egypt was a golden one. Our athletes won first place, ahead of Italy and France. Congratulations!” the Mexican government wrote on Twitter.
CONADE director Ana Guevara announced the cut in funding in January after global governing body World Aquatics did not recognize Mexican Swimming Federation president Kiril Todorov, who is facing trial for embezzlement.
Mexico’s aquatic athletes have since had to find ways to fund their preparations ahead of the Paris Olympic Games next year, seeking support through social media or selling items, as the artistic swimming team did, while Olympic diver Kevin Berlin launched his own brand of coffee.
World Aquatics president Husain al-Musallam sent a message to Mexican aquatic athletes last month, assuring them that the organization would support them to compete at the FINA World Championships in Japan this summer.
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