Mexico Softball Team Discards Uniforms in Athletes' Village Trash Bins

After Losing Bronze Medal Match, Discarded Uniform, Sneakers, and Gloves Before Returning Home
"To Reduce Airplane Baggage Weight..." Facing Risk of Losing National Team Qualification

The Mexican national team, which placed 4th in softball at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, is at risk of losing their national team status. This is due to the revelation that they discarded their national team uniforms in the athlete village trash bins before returning home.

On the 30th (Korean time), according to reports from ESPN and Mexican media, Carlos Padilla, chairman of the Mexican Olympic Committee, stated, "It is regrettable that the softball team threw away the national team uniforms, which feature the national flag and Mexico's symbolic green and red colors, in the athlete village trash bins." He added, "We will discuss disciplinary actions for the players in consultation with the Mexican Softball Federation."

The Mexican team hurriedly returned home after losing 2-3 to Canada in the bronze medal match on the 27th. The controversy arose when Brianta Tamara, a female Mexican national boxing representative, posted photos of the discarded uniforms on Twitter. Finding uniforms, shoes, and gloves in the athlete village trash bins, she wrote, "Every Mexican athlete sweats to wear this uniform," and added, "It is very sad that the softball team discarded the uniform, which symbolizes years of effort, sacrifice, and tears." Esmeralda Falcon, a teammate on the boxing team, also pointed out, "The uniform may mean nothing to some, but to many athletes, it represents dedication, love, and passion."

As public criticism intensified, the Mexican Softball Federation explained, "This happened to reduce the weight of luggage on the plane." However, when Mario Garcia, secretary general of the Mexican Olympic Committee, warned of disciplinary measures, he said, "Players who discarded the uniforms will never be able to play on the national team again."