Guatemala NOC News
15 September 2026 - Find here the latest news from the National Olympic Committee: events, courses, general assemblies and elections, trophies and much more.
15 September 2026 - The NOC, together with Olympic medallists Adriana Ruano and Jean Pierre Brol, took part in the 2026 edition of the Festival Chapín – held on 29 and 30 August in Los Angeles (USA) – where they met members of LA’s Guatemalan community, helping to build excitement ahead of the LA28 Olympic Games. The festival was also a chance to promote the #GuatemalaEnLosÁngeles2028 project, an NOC initiative that will be rolled out for the first time during the Olympic Games and is designed to connect the national team with the LA-based Guatemalan community. Learn more here.
21 August 2026 - Organised by the Guatemalan Olympic Academy, the first Olympism 365 Festival was recently held in San Lorenzo El Cubo, bringing together children and young people for sporting and artistic activities. The Olympism 365 project offers a nine-month training programme combining sport, culture, technology and values education. Led by the NOC, the project is being implemented with the support of Olympic Solidarity, together with educational support from the SES. More details here.
27 July 2026 - More than 10,000 people took part in the 37th Olympic Day Run, held on 28 June. Participants could choose between 4-, 8- or 12-kilometre routes, which they could complete by running, jogging or walking. The race was started by Olympic athletes and several iconic figures from the national sporting scene, who were there to share in the enthusiasm generated by this Day, which brings together millions of people across the world every year. More details here. Furthermore, on 1 July, the swearing-in ceremony took place for the Guatemalan delegation for the 25th Central American and Caribbean Games, scheduled to take place from 24 July to 8 August in Santo Domingo. A total of 480 Guatemalan athletes will be competing in 38 of the 40 sports on the programme. Details here.
27 May 2026 - At the beginning of May, more than 300 athletes took part in the “Desafío 2026: Estrategia y Esfuerzo con Pasión” (Challenge 2026: Strategy and Effort with Passion) workshop, in preparation for the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games and the 2026 Dakar YOG. In line with the vision promoted by the NOC through the COG365 programme, the meeting reaffirmed the importance of supporting athletes not only in their physical preparation, but also in their mental, emotional and personal development. More details here.
10 March 2026 - The NOC has signed agreements with a number of athletes as part of its Talent Retention Programme and with national federations and associations as part of its Technical Assistance Programme. This year, 306 athletes are involved in the Talent Retention Programme and will directly receive funding allocated by the NOC to support their sporting careers. The Technical Assistance Programme offers NOC financial support to national federations and associations to facilitate the hiring of coaches in line with their sports plans and development objectives. Full info here.
23 December 2025 - In a recent article (available here), the NOC looks back on 2025, a year that will be remembered as one when Guatemalan sport took a historic leap forward. It was a season marked by great performances, podium finishes, excitement and a level of competition that confirmed Guatemala's continued growth in the sporting arena. Before 2025 ended, the NOC and the Autonomous Sports Confederation of Guatemala honoured all the athletes who distinguished themselves this year at a ceremony held at the Teodoro Palacios Flores sports complex in Guatemala City.
10 November 2025 - The closing ceremony of the XII Central American Games, Guatemala 2025, was filled with emotion and symbolism. Organising Committee President Gerardo Aguirre, expressed his pride and gratitude for the enthusiasm with which the Guatemalan public supported each competition, before presenting commemorative medals to the representatives of the Central American NOCs, in recognition of their support and commitment to the development of sport at the regional level. IOC Honorary Member Willi Kaltschmitt Luján, who is also the Honorary President of these Games and the Central American Sports Organisation (ORDECA), delivered an emotional speech. More details here.
27 October 2025 - Guatemala is hosting the XII Central American Games from 18 to 30 October. Before the competitions began in various locations around the country, the Games were officially opened in Ciudad Cayalá with a colourful ceremony full of music, dance and tradition. Athletes from Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and Guatemala are taking part in the Games, which Guatemala previously organised 24 years ago in 2001. Full details here on the NOC website and here on the Games website.
06 October 2025 - Mental preparation is a key factor in athlete performance, and thanks to the “Desafío 2025: Estrategia y esfuerzo con pasión” (“2025 Challenge: Strategy and Effort with Passion”) programme, the Guatemalan delegation can start a year full of sporting challenges with a stronger mentality. This programme is an initiative that the NOC has developed with the Autonomous Sports Confederation of Guatemala. More than 400 athletes and coaches have followed the programme and boosted their ability to concentrate, deal with pressure and have greater resilience at big sports events. Find out more here.
31 July 2025 - To mark 100 days to go before the XII Central American Games, a symbolic flame, representing fraternity, excellence and life force, was lit during a ceremony at the archaeological site of Chuwa Nima’ Ab’aj, the Kaqchikel Mayan city located in the modern-day town of San Martín Jilotepeque in the department of Chimaltenango. The official launch of the Games took place at the Palacio de los Deportes, at an event attended by the Vice-President of Guatemala, Karin Herrera, as well as athletes and NOC representatives. The Games mascot, Balami, and the official song, Unidos por el Deporte (United By Sport), were also unveiled at the event. The Central American Games will be held from 18 to 30 October, with the participation of athletes from Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and Guatemala. Full details here.
05 July 2025 - In Guatemala, nearly 10,000 people of all ages took part in the 36th edition of the Olympic Day Run on 29 June at the heart of the “Ciudad de los Deportes”. The programme involved 4, 8 and 12km events, which participants were free to run, jog or walk. Olympic medallists Adriana Ruano (shooting, gold, Paris 2024), Erick Barrondo (race walk, silver, London 2012) and Jean-Pierre Brol (shooting, bronze, Paris 2024) and Olympians Kevin Cordón (badminton, Tokyo 2020) and Andrés Fernández (modern pentathlon, Paris 2024) got the event underway. The run was organised in all 22 departments across the country with the theme "Let's Move?". More details here.
24 June 2025 - Guatemalan athletes Antonio Alvarado (bodybuilding) and Sofia Menjivar (rugby) took part in the International Olympic Academy (IOA)’s 65th International Session for Young Olympic Ambassadors in Olympia (Greece). The main theme of this year’s edition was “The Future of Sport”, with the special theme of “Olympic Education and Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities and Challenges”. Both athletes were selected by the NOC through the Guatemalan Olympic Academy. Their selection was based on their commitment to the Olympic values, their leadership and their active participation in Guatemalan Olympic Movement training programmes. The participation of NOC and National Olympic Academy delegates at the IOA’s International Session for Young Olympic Ambassadors is supported by Olympic Solidarity. Full details here.
12 June 2025 - 31 May saw the 40th anniversary of the constitutional autonomy of sport in Guatemala, which is managed by the NOC and the Autonomous Sports Confederation of Guatemala (CDAG). To mark this occasion, the two institutions paid tribute to a number of sports personalities by inducting them into the Galeria de los Notables (hall of fame): baseball player Luis Felipe Ramazzini, the women’s junior national basketball team from 1988 and softball coach Alberto Rivas. This anniversary also coincides with the XII Central American Games, which will take place in Guatemala this October offering a unique opportunity to write another major chapter of the country’s sporting history. Full details here.
23 May 2025 - The first meeting of the Chefs de Mission for the 12th Central American Games was held in early May in Guatemala City. As a reminder, Guatemala will host these Games from 18 to 30 October 2025. For two days. The delegations of the seven Central American NOCs took part in technical sessions and site visits. This meeting was followed by the Ordinary Assembly of the Central American Sports Organisation (ORDECA) also in Guatemala City. Led by ORDECA President Emmett Lang Salmerón, the Assembly brought together all the members of the Executive Committee and the presidents of the NOC of the region. Forty-two sports will be on the programme of these Games in Guatemala, which will see 24 venues used in the city as well as 13 satellite venues across the country. Info at www.cog.org.gt.
07 May 2025 - The Guatemalan NOC celebrated its 78th anniversary at a ceremony attended by the NOC’s Executive Board and staff members. Founded in 1946, the NOC was officially recognised by the IOC on 23 April 1947 and has continued to promote the Olympic Movement and the values of excellence, friendship, respect and universality ever since. More info here.
13 April 2025 - The eighth edition of the “Sport for Development and Peace Forum of the Americas” was held recently in Guatemala City with the theme of “Sport, innovation and sustainability: building the future”. The series of talks was organised by the NOC, the Autonomous Sports Confederation of Guatemala and the National Sports Council (CONADER) to mark the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. Held in hybrid form, this edition of the Forum was aimed at raising awareness of sport’s power for social transformation and creating socio-sporting projects to benefit society. Full details here.
24 March 2025 - The NOC, in coordination with the Autonomous Sports Confederation of Guatemala, has launched Desafío 2025: Strategy and Effort with Passion – a key event aimed at preparing and supporting athletes for the 2025–2028 Olympic cycle. Bringing together over 400 athletes and coaches from various national sports federations and associations, the event marked the start of a new challenge, beginning in 2025 with major competitions such as the World Games in Chengdu, the Junior Pan American Games in Asunción, the Central American Games in Guatemala and the Bolivarian Games in Lima. Details here.
17 March 2025 - The NOC and the Autonomous Sports Confederation of Guatemala have celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Ciudad de los Deportes. On this occasion, an olive tree was planted in front of the Palacio de los Deportes, the headquarters of the NOC and the Confederation, as a symbol of the values of peace and friendship conveyed by sport and Olympism. The different steps of the construction of the Ciudad Deportiva were also highlighted during the event. More details here.
10 March 2025 - In a joint effort to ensure a safer and violence-free sporting environment, the NOC, the Autonomous Sports Confederation of Guatemala, the Olympic Athletes' Commission and national sports federations and associations have signed a cooperation agreement. This agreement reaffirms their commitment to promoting safe sport, prioritising the prevention of violence in all its forms and ensuring the dignity, rights and physical and psychological well-being of all those involved in sport. It will make available and disseminate awareness-raising, information and training programmes and activities nationally on the safe practice of sport, aimed at athletes, coaches, sports leaders and parents, among others. Full details here.
03 March 2025 - The NOC has announced that Guatemala will host the XII Central American Games from 18 to 30 October 2025 – 24 years after organising the 7th edition in 2001. The decision was made at the Ordinary General Assembly of the Central American Sports Organisation (ORDECA) held at the Palacio de los Deportes in Guatemala City. With these Games, Guatemala will face the challenge of organising a competition that includes 38 sports and more than 50 disciplines, and in which thousands of athletes from all over the region will participate. The competitions will take place in venues spread across Guatemala City and in different regions of the country. More into here. In addition, the NOC has received ISO 9001 :2015 certification (a standard created by the International Organisation for Standardisation, ISO) for its quality management system. This recognition validates the NOC's continued efforts to maintain high standards in the planning and execution of its activities, ensuring efficient and transparent management in the development of Olympic sport in Guatemala. Full details here.
16 April 2021 - On 14 April, the NOC of Guatemala launched the countdown to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 at a ceremony held at the Palacio de los Deportes in Guatemala City. With 100 days to go before the opening of the Games, 16 Guatemalan athletes were already qualified, including Adriana Ruano (shooting), Yulissa López and Jennieffer Zúñiga (rowing), who were representing these athletes at the ceremony (photo). More details here.
29 june 2020 - On 21 June, the Guatemalan NOC organised the first virtual physical activity to commemorate Olympic Day. Arranged with the support of the Autonomous Sports Confederation of Guatemala, Olympic Solidarity and the Panamerican University, this event took place over nine hours, streamed on digital platforms and broadcast by national sports institutions. Educational activities on the Olympic Movement, through the Guatemalan Olympic Academy, were also on offer. Over 7,000 people, families, children, youngsters and athletes, took part, following zumba, running, aerobics and cardio sessions hosted by staff from the National Sports Preparation Centre. Virtual diplomas and medals were awarded to everyone. More details here.
09 December 2019 - The Guatemalan NOC and the Confederation of Autonomous Sports of Guatemala honoured the athletes who excelled in 2019, as a prelude to the celebration of the Athletes’ Day, celebrated on 7 December. During the ceremony, athletes from 46 national federations and sports associations were rewarded for their work, discipline and recent performances. More info at www.cog.org.gt
22 july 2019 - Fernando Antonio Beltranena Valladares (see photo), who was President of the Guatemalan NOC for 16 years, died on 13 July. During his career as a sports administrator, he held numerous roles at both national and regional level. Among other things, he served as President of the National Equestrian Association, Vice-President of the Autonomous Sports Confederation of Guatemala, Vice-President of the Pan-American Sports Organisation, and Vice-President of the Central American Sports Organisation. He was also highly committed to promoting the Olympic values, serving as Director of the Guatemalan Olympic Academy and as a member of the IOC’s Culture and Olympic Education Commission, and was a recipient of the Pierre de Coubertin Medal. More detailshere.
28 june 2019 - In the heart of Guatemala City, over 9,000 Guatemalans of all ages, plus a number of top athletes, came together for the 31st Olympic Day run on 23 June. The day was a great success, thanks in large part to the support of volunteers and staff from the Guatemalan NOC, the Guatemalan autonomous sports confederation, and athletes, coaches and leaders from the national sports federations and clubs. More info here.
14 may 2019 - The Guatemalan NOC has announced that its Olympic Academy has been awarded the IOC “Olympism in Action” Trophy in recognition of its contribution towards building a better and more peaceful society through sport. IOC EB member Willi Kaltschmitt Luján (right of photo) presented the Trophy during the 3rd Forum for the Americas organised as part of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. More details on www.cog.org.gt.
04 February 2019 - The Guatemalan NOC and the Autonomous Sports Confederation of Guatemala have honoured the team who took part in the 3rd Summer Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires in 2018. The nine young athletes, who each received a participant’s diploma, their six coaches and the Young Ambassador were invited by the county’s highest sports authorities to a ceremony held at the Sports Palace. More details here.
2 July 2018 - More than 5,000 people of all ages took part in the Olympic Day Run organised by the NOC of Guatemala at the “Ciudad de los Deportes” complex on 24 June, in different distance categories of 4, 8 and 12km. More info here.