# Jefferson Pérez > Ecuadorian race walking athlete **Wikidata**: [Q15542](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15542) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferson_Pérez) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jefferson-perez ## Summary Jefferson Pérez is an Ecuadorian race walking athlete known for winning the country's first Olympic gold medal in athletics. He achieved this historic victory in the 20 km race walk at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. ## Biography - Born: July 13, 1974 (exact place not specified in source) - Nationality: Ecuadorian - Education: Educated at Universidad del Azuay - Known for: Winning Ecuador's first Olympic gold medal in athletics - Employer(s): Not specified in source material - Field(s): Athletics (race walking) ## Contributions Jefferson Pérez's most significant contribution to athletics was winning the gold medal in the 20 km race walk at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, becoming the first Ecuadorian athlete to win an Olympic gold medal. This achievement brought international recognition to Ecuadorian athletics and inspired future generations of athletes in the country. His success helped establish Ecuador as a competitive nation in race walking on the global stage. ## FAQs **What is Jefferson Pérez known for?** Jefferson Pérez is known for winning Ecuador's first Olympic gold medal in athletics, specifically in the 20 km race walk at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. **Where did Jefferson Pérez study?** Jefferson Pérez studied at Universidad del Azuay in Ecuador. **What sport did Jefferson Pérez compete in?** Jefferson Pérez competed in race walking, a discipline of athletics that involves walking at a fast pace while maintaining continuous ground contact. **When did Jefferson Pérez win his Olympic gold medal?** Jefferson Pérez won his Olympic gold medal on July 26, 1996, at the Atlanta Summer Olympics. **What was the significance of Jefferson Pérez's Olympic victory?** His victory was historically significant as it was Ecuador's first Olympic gold medal in any sport, bringing national pride and international recognition to Ecuadorian athletics. ## Why They Matter Jefferson Pérez matters because he broke new ground for Ecuadorian sports by becoming the nation's first Olympic gold medalist. His victory in 1996 transformed the perception of Ecuadorian athletics on the world stage and created a legacy that continues to inspire athletes in Ecuador. By excelling in race walking, a discipline that requires exceptional endurance and technique, Pérez demonstrated that athletes from smaller nations could compete at the highest levels of international sport. His achievement helped establish Ecuador as a competitive force in race walking and contributed to the development of athletics programs in the country. ## Notable For - Winning Ecuador's first Olympic gold medal in athletics - Achieving gold in the 20 km race walk at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics - Becoming a national hero and inspiration for Ecuadorian athletes - Representing Ecuador in multiple Olympic Games - Being recognized as one of Ecuador's greatest athletes of all time ## Body ### Early Life and Background Jefferson Pérez was born on July 13, 1974, in Ecuador. While the exact birthplace is not specified in the source material, he grew up during a time when Ecuador had limited international sporting success. His early life details are not extensively documented in the provided sources, but his rise to prominence would have begun in his teenage years as he developed his race walking skills. ### Athletic Career Pérez specialized in race walking, competing primarily in the 20 km distance. Race walking is a discipline of athletics that requires athletes to maintain continuous ground contact and keep their advancing leg straight from the moment of first contact with the ground until it passes under the body. This technical sport demands exceptional endurance, discipline, and precise technique. His most notable achievement came at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, where he won the gold medal in the 20 km race walk. This victory was particularly significant as it marked Ecuador's first Olympic gold medal in any sport. The win occurred on July 26, 1996, and instantly made Pérez a national hero in Ecuador. ### Education and Personal Development Jefferson Pérez pursued higher education at Universidad del Azuay, an academic institution for further education located in Cuenca, Ecuador. The university was founded in 1968 and serves as a prominent educational institution in the region. While specific details about his field of study are not provided, his connection to Universidad del Azuay demonstrates his commitment to academic development alongside his athletic career. ### Legacy and Impact Pérez's Olympic victory had a lasting impact on Ecuadorian sports and national identity. As the first Ecuadorian to win an Olympic gold medal, he created a new standard for athletic achievement in the country. His success helped establish Ecuador as a competitive nation in race walking and inspired future generations of Ecuadorian athletes to pursue Olympic dreams. The significance of his achievement extends beyond sports, as it provided a source of national pride during a period when Ecuador was developing its international presence. His victory demonstrated that athletes from smaller nations could achieve the highest levels of success in global competition. ### Recognition and Honors While specific awards and honors are not detailed in the source material, Pérez's Olympic gold medal represents the highest recognition in athletics. His achievement has been commemorated through various means in Ecuador, though specific details about medals, titles, or other honors are not provided in the available sources. ### Physical Characteristics According to the structured properties, Jefferson Pérez has a height of 167.0 cm (approximately 5 feet 6 inches) and a weight of 50.0 kg (approximately 110 pounds). These physical characteristics are typical for elite race walkers, who often have lean, efficient physiques optimized for endurance performance. ### Digital Presence Jefferson Pérez maintains a personal website at http://jeffersonperez.com/, which serves as a platform for his athletic legacy and public presence. He is also active on social media, with a Twitter account (@jeffersonperezq) that was established on June 2, 2010, and had 22,423 followers as of February 8, 2023. ### Historical Context Pérez's victory came during a period when Ecuador was establishing itself more prominently on the international stage. His success in 1996 coincided with Ecuador's growing participation in global organizations and its development as a sovereign nation with increasing international recognition. The country had declared independence in various forms throughout the 19th century, with international recognition received on February 16, 1840. ### Athletic Discipline Race walking, the discipline in which Pérez competed, requires athletes to maintain continuous ground contact and keep their advancing leg straight from the moment of first contact with the ground until it passes under the body. This technical sport demands exceptional endurance, discipline, and precise technique. The 20 km race walk, Pérez's specialty, is one of the longest events in race walking competition and requires both physical stamina and mental fortitude. ### National Significance As Ecuador's first Olympic gold medalist, Pérez occupies a unique place in the nation's sporting history. His victory helped establish a foundation for future athletic success in Ecuador and demonstrated that the country could compete successfully in international sports. This achievement has likely influenced sports development programs and inspired young athletes throughout Ecuador to pursue competitive athletics. ## References 1. World Athletics database 2. Virtual International Authority File 3. Tilastopaja 4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013