Bolivia's 90-Year-Old Champion Athlete

Adela Carrasco Avendano is Bolivia’s most famous elderly athlete. Over the past decade the 90-year-old sports fanatic has won more than 40 medals taking first place in most of her events.

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The Potosi native now lives in La Paz, the world’s highest city, but the altitude doesn’t affect her routine.

"I train at least three times a week for an hour and a half at a time,’’ Adela told teleSUR at one of her intense training regimes.

Adela’s fitness routine would put people half her age to shame. In one session, she trains for both the 200 and 400 meters, does some javelin practice, fits in some abdominal crunches, several squats and finishes off with some stretches. By any standard it is an impressive feat for someone in their ninth decade. "This is just a normal day for me,’’ laughs Adela in between sprinting up and down Bolivia’s main stadium in La Paz where she trains with her other pensioner friends.

Adela only took up athletics when her husband passed away in 2007. Aged 81 at the time, her family encouraged Adela to move to La Paz and take up a hobby.

"My daughter is a runner so I decided to give it a go," she said.

Adela quickly embraced the world of athletics and became addicted to competing both in national and international events.

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"I’ve been to Peru, Argentina and Brazil to compete in events for both young and old," says Adela. "But the most important aspect for me is the friendships you make with the other competitors."

Most elderly people Adela’s age are content with taking life easy, but Adela says she can’t just sit around all day doing nothing. "That’s not a healthy lifestyle and you age much quicker,’’ admits the sprightly 90 year old. Doctors say Adela’s health is in great shape.

"My heart is strong, my blood pressure is normal, I don’t have diabetes but my arthritis is beginning to slow me down," she added.

Adela is also a skilled javelin thrower but has had to give up the sport because arthritis has weakened her right hand. "I don’t have enough strength to throw as far as I used to but I thankfully I can still run," says Adela.

Adela’s family couldn’t be prouder of their champion mother.

"She amazes us with her vitality and determination to succeed, we think she’s an inspiration for old people everywhere," says son Armando.

Adela’s incredible sporting achievements has captured the imagination of Bolivians.

"When we are out in public young and old come up to us on the streets to take photos and congratulate my mother on all her awards," Armando added.

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But Adela isn’t bothered by all the fame and medals. "I always say sport is like a plant that needs to be watered every day and for us athletes we need sport every day in our lives to make us healthier." It’s a motto that has served Adela well for the last decade.

Bolivia is currently grappling with an obesity crisis, especially among its youth. Have you any advice for young people who are overweight? I ask Adela as she wraps up a training session.

"They have to do sports, be in constant movement, take up activities, this is the best thing for them to lose weight," says Adela.

Bolivia’s champion runner has no plans to give up competing just yet.

"I’m going to continue for as long as God allows, if I can I’ll keep going."