Alex Quiñonez in a race alongside Usain Bolt.
Havana, October 23 (RHC)-- Ecuadorian sprinter Alex Quiñonez, world bronze medalist, Olympic finalist and Pan American champion in the 200 meters, was murdered Friday in Guayaquil.
Ecuadorian media reported that the murder occurred in the Colinas de la Florida sector, where the athlete was killed along with a friend by several gunshot wounds.
"With deep sorrow we confirm that our athlete Álex Quiñónez was murdered in the city of Guayaquil," the Ecuadorian Ministry of Sport said in a statement and defined the runner as the "best Ecuadorian sprinter in history."
"My heart is totally broken, I can't find words to describe the emptiness I feel. I can't believe it until when we are going to continue living so much evil and insecurity," said the president of the Sports Federation of Guayas, Roberto Ibanez, when he announced the news and confirmed that the police are investigating the case.
Quiñonez, 32 years old, born in Esmeradas, but resided in Guayaquil, had a brilliant career and was considered one of the great sprinters in the world.
He won the bronze medal in the 200 meters at the 2019 World Championships, the gold at the Pan American Games in Lima, that same year, and several podiums in the world circuit, including the Diamond League.
He lowered Ecuador's national record in the 200 meters on several occasions, until setting it at 19.87 (2019) and was an Olympic finalist in London-2012.
Guayaquil is considered one of the most dangerous cities in Ecuador and in recent weeks has been rocked by a number of violent deaths.
