Joselyn Daniely Brea, Yulimar Rojas, Yoveinny Mota and Edymar Brea (© Getty Images)
Before the sun rises, two Venezuelan sisters wake up, prepare their breakfast – bread with ham and cheese and pink sauce, a combination of ketchup and mayonnaise – then embark on an hour-long drive to the track.
The Brea sisters are the Venezuelan duo competing in the 5000m at the World Athletics Championships Oregon22. Joselyn Brea is the Ibero-American champion in the 5000m, and Edymar Brea is the South American champion over the same distance.
“Being with my sister at the World Championships makes it more special,” said Joselyn.
These sisters share the same passion: running.
Joselyn started running first at the age of 14, and two years later her sister joined her. Edymar says her sister was the person who influenced her to start running.
Edymar and Joselyn Brea (© Diana Ramos)
“I just wanted to stay home watching telenovelas,” said Edymar, who also was 14 when she started running.
Joselyn encouraged her sister to get up and come to practice with her. Now they are two of the four women representing Venezuela at the World Athletics Championships Oregon22. The Venezuelan delegation is composed entirely of women, led by Yulimar Rojas whose triple jump performances have put the South American country on radar.
“I feel very happy to be one of the four Venezuelan women, warrior women, fighter women who are here defending our homeland, defending our colours,” said Rojas, who just won her third outdoor world title.
“I am happy to be able to wear this on my chest,” said Rojas, pointing to the Venezuelan flag on her shirt.
Dancing to the podium, Rojas received her gold medal and the Venezuelan national anthem was played, marking another historic performance for the country.
The four Venezuelan women in Oregon are making history for being one of the few women who have represented the country at the World Athletics Championships.
When the sisters compete together, they create an alliance.
“She and I made one,” Edymar said. “We both run together against the other rivals.”
During races, the sisters work together to achieve the best outcome. If one of them isn't feeling good during a race, one will go in front and protect the other one from the wind.
They support each other when dealing with injuries and training, and besides being rivals on the track, these sisters believe family is always first.
“We will never stop being sisters, not even the biggest competition in the world will change it,” Edymar said.
For sprint hurdler Yoveinny Mota, her family is the foundation of her sporting career.
She had a desire to run the 100m hurdles, but she didn't like it because she would fall. Mota’s mother told her, ‘you have to try so you can see what you are capable of doing’. Now, Mota is the Venezuelan record-holder with a best of 12.87.
“My mother is my motor,” said Mota. “If it wasn't for my mom, I wouldn't be here.”
Mota has represented Venezuela on multiple occasions, including the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade, where she finished fifth in 8.05, having set a national indoor record of 7.99 in the semifinal.
Cyrena Samba-Mayela and Yoveinny Mota at the World Athletics Indoor Championships Belgrade 22 (© Getty Images)
In her last competition before heading to Oregon, she competed at the Bolivarian Games in Valledupar, Colombia, taking the gold medal in a competition record of 13.07. It was also the first time her mother watched her competing at an international event, which made the moment even more special.
“I was puffed up with pride,” Mota said.
Mota says that there were many times where she wanted to give up, but her mother was there for her to push her forward. Mota studies at University of Arkansas, where she majors in psychology. Because of her academic and athletic careers, she doesn't get to see her family often, sometimes only once a year for a few days.
“The biggest sacrifice for me is being away from my family,” she said. “I feel like I miss the best moments like birthdays and Christmas.”
The 22-year-old admires Allyson Felix because of her capacity to be a mother, wife and athlete, inspiring women around the world. Mota also admires Jasmine Camacho-Quinn because of her resilience as one of the Latinas who competes in 100m hurdles. She feels proud to be in a sport that embraces strong women.
“Us women, nothing stops us,” Mota said.
Besides Mota’s successful sporting career, she has her feet on the ground. She wants to create a foundation to help the next generation of Venezuelan track and field athletes to fulfil their potential.
“I would like to be remembered as an athlete who, despite the adversities that came her way in life, continued and did not give up,” Mota said.
Diana Ramos for World Athletics
