The Minister of Sports, Natalia Duco, expressed her opinion following the harsh criticism she received from citizens and even athletes regarding her presence and defense of the National Rodeo Championship. She defended her appearance at the Medialuna de Rancagua and addressed the criticisms. "My visit to the Championship was an invitation, like the many I receive from all the federations that are part of the Olympic Committee and that are part of this ministry.
Rodeo is another federation, recognized by law, which I have to take responsibility for as a minister," she stated to La Tercera. She also mentioned that despite her comments about a "development plan" for rodeo, there is actually "no commitment of resources involved, but of course, the doors are open. " "It was really shocking the amount of criticism I received.
I am a person, and I believe this is the time I have received the most criticism. It impacted me a lot, but I respect it, just as happened in the case of doping, and as I imagine will continue to happen for various things I say," she added regarding the strong questioning surrounding the activity and the support she received from the minister. "There will always be people who agree and disagree.
When making a decision as a minister, one has to be mature and responsible. One consequence of being in authority is that you stop being the athlete, the idol of Chile, or the one everyone wants, and you become a subject of justified criticism, and I think one has to take it with a broad perspective," she added. Nonetheless, she emphasized: "I am also human, and of course, it is not easy to read the amount of hate; it has never happened to me in my life, but I also understand and respect it.
" Regarding whether she feels more scrutinized than other ministers, Duco explained that "feeling that there is a demand…
I cannot ignore my history and not recognize what it has taught me. On one hand, doping means that today I am criticized. I have to accept it and cannot deny it.
I cannot cover the sun with a finger, but that experience has also allowed me to be a psychologist, win MasterChef, become well-known, be a mother, and be a better human being," she reflected. Finally, the minister reaffirmed that despite the positive side of decisions, "there is also a negative side that cannot be evaded and must be faced with maturity, and that is what I am doing. If there are criticisms towards me, I accept them because there is also an undeniable origin of the criticism.
But, also from that role, and from that criticism, I am the person I am, and I would not change that for anything.