Cátia Azevedo razes Sporting: “It was a lack of respect”

Catia Azevedo has been one of the most talked Olympic athletes in the last week, for having been dismissed by Sporting six months after being a mother, something that generated much controversy, so she herself spoke this Sunday on the subject.

“ I was raised with two principles: to work every day for my dreams, in silence, even after the lights went out; to respect everyone around me, whether strong or weak, poor or rich. Defeat was never my end. Neither is victory. From my career I keep honor and pride in everything I gave to national athletics, especially at 400 meters”, started by saying ex-Sporting in a publication on their social networks.

“ In the meetings I had, that honor was diminished, discarded and devalued. I felt like being a mother was treated like a burden, and that they were doing me almost a favor for keeping me. It was never just a contract. It was never just a pay cut. It was disrespectful”, continued.

The runner did not hide the disillusionment with the course these events took and even gave Sporting a ‘require’ on the way the Lion emblem deals with athletics.

“ We live in disposable times without dialogue and no room to listen to each other. The problem was never money. It's human values. I got hurt, but I came out stronger. I know my limits and I say ‘till’ to every disrespect. In my opinion, the direction this club takes to athletics is a mistake, and the silence of the institution does not correct it ", pointed out.

“ I follow without a club, but with my head held high and my dignity intact. And to those who feel that everything a woman (mother, future mother or not) has to face to reach the same level as men: one day, someone they love may need that understanding. And you may not find her. I keep running. I keep dreaming. Because it's really what I control! Thank you all for the love and affection transmitted ", concluded the athlete 32 years old.

Cátia Azevedo was not the only one dismissed at Sporting

Sporting announced a week ago the renewal of the contract with the heavy launcher Auriol Dongmo, while confirming six exits from the club, the last of which was the four-century Cátia Azevedo, who was a mother half a year ago.

Dongmo, 36 years old, was the world champion ‘indoor’ in 2022, having been strongly affected by injuries in the last two seasons.

“Last season was not as good as I expected, because I ended up with two serious injuries, but I ended well, better than I expected and this is a sign of what I will be able to do this time”, said the athlete.

Paulo Reis, Sporting athletic coordinator and Dongmo coach, believes in returning to the foreground: “Now he is returning to his best level, he was a gold medal in the Mediterranean Games, his goal is to pursue his career at least until the Los Angeles Olympic Games.”.

The launcher renews the contract for two years, pointing precisely to reach the Olympic Games in good plan.

However, also today, Sporting confirmed the dispensation of Ana Mafalda Ferreira (middle background, background and cross), Carlos Nascimento (velocista), Rui Pinto (bottom and half bottom) and Tiago Pereira (triplo jump), already known, to which join the four-century Omar el Khatib and Cátia Azevedo, athlete who returned to training a few months ago, after being a mother.

The 32-year-old athlete represented the club of Alvalade in the last eighteen years and holds the record of 400 meters, with 50.59 seconds, made five years ago. Olympic in 2016, 2020 and 2024, intended to prepare the trip to Los Angeles2028.

“ Thank you for all the Lion effort and dedication to the chest. They will forever be part of the history of Sporting”, wrote the club on social networks.