"Has Esther passed?" He asks from the depths of the mixed zone of the Khalifa Stadium in Doha and, when he receives an affirmative answer, releases the smile. Marta Pérez and Esther Guerrero will be this Thursday in the semifinals of 1,500 meters (22.00 hours) after a series of tension that survived for times. Both will look for a pass to a very complicated final against figures such as Sifan Hassan, Laura Muir, Gudaf Tsegay or Faith Kipyegon , but whatever happens their goal is already fulfilled. Both passed a phase and one of them, in addition, left a more than necessary reflection these days.

Perez, 26, a graduate in Medicine, criticized the International Athletics Federation (IAAF) for the designation of Qatar as World Cup headquarters, for the status of women in the country, for its poor athletic tradition and for the huge footprint Ecological that will leave. "I do not know what we are doing here. It is a World Cup that is running completely artificially," he said before explaining: "A great economic investment has been made so that the championship is held here so that, in theory, the country can enjoy it , but they obviously don't want it because when you go out on the track you see the empty stand. The World Cup doesn't even broadcast on Qatar’s television. "

"In this country I cannot inspire anyone because the few women in the stands do not have the possibility, by culture, to do what I do," he continued and, shortly after, ended: "The organization is being excellent for athletes, the stadium is great to compete and inside it is great, but who has questioned the environmental impact of all the air conditioners that are in the enclosure.The effort they are making, trying to compete at the media level with events such as the Champions League, it will not help at all because when the World Cup leaves here we will not leave any grounds. "

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