Gladys Tejeda runs again after being suspended, and breaks South American record

Peruvian athlete Gladys Tejeda refused to be beaten by adversity, after the ODEPA (Pan America Sports Organization) stripped her of the gold medal she won in Canada and suspended her for six months after her anti-doping test results were positive at 2015 Toronto Pan American Games.

The long-distance runner started competing again and making a name for Peru, marking 1h 10" 14" at the 2016 Cardiff World Half Marathon in the United Kingdom. She arrived ninth at the competition and was the only South American among the ten best places. Gladys broke a record when as she returned to marathon competitions.

The athlete has a strict training process in Huancayo city, at some point she even thought of retiring but she pushed through that difficult time. ‘It has not been easy, there were moments when I felt weak, had nowhere to go, but I thank God, my family and fellow Peruvians for their support. Now I must look forward. I have to prepare 100 per cent for Rio and go back stronger. I keep thinking of an olympic medal; that is the goal’, said Junin department’s favorite daughter.

Gladys Tejada will try to be one of top marathon runners in August and will continue proving Peruvians are capable of achieving great deeds in world sports.