Nayeli Clemente, a 24-year-old CrossFit athlete, died shortly after competing in the Cholula Games in Mexico. This licensed CrossFit event happened on May 2 and it was hosted in San Andrés Cholula, a town in Mexico’s southeast region. The Olympic-level competition was held in blistering conditions, with the mercury hitting 95 degrees F.
In the midst of one of these physical tests, Clemente started having trouble with her breathing and eventually passed out. From there, Doctor Daniela Castruita jumped into action, administering emergency medical care. She even performed CPR and temporarily stabilized her until an ambulance could arrive. After being rushed to a local academic medical center, Clemente went into cardiac arrest and died a day later.
Clemente’s crew condemned the emergency medical response to the event, calling it “slow” and “disorganized.” They stated, “At a critical moment, where every second counted, the medical staff contracted by the event organizers did not respond to the preparation or the necessary resources.” The team highlighted the inadequacy of the event’s medical setup, saying, “The number of paramedics and ambulances was insufficient for the magnitude of the event, and there was no rapid access to the pyramid.”
The Cholula Games organization confirmed the incident in a statement, noting that “during the main event of the Cholula Games, an athlete developed a medical complication.” The event’s medical team treated her on-site and then transported her, still alive, to a private hospital. Tragically, she died the next day.
In the wake of her passing, Nayeli Clemente’s brother, Kevin Armando Hernández Clemente, started a GoFundMe to raise funds for medical expenses. So far the fundraising effort has raised $270,000. This level of giving demonstrates the community’s deep appreciation, support and care for Clemente’s family as they navigate this difficult period. In an emotional appeal on the crowdfunding page, Hernández Clemente implored supporters to “help us save Nayeli’s life.”
The Cholula Games not only condemned what occurred had happened, but they stayed in communication with Clemente’s family since the incident. During this time of increased need, they doubled down on their pledge to deliver support any way it’s needed most. We’re in close communication with them to ensure they have all the resources and support necessary to help them through this challenging time,” said one FWW official.
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