2023 Press conference organized by Mexican Olympic diver Azul Almazán (Michelle's friend and colleague) and, La CONADE (National Commission for Physical Culture and Sports - Mexico); to honor & support Mexican olympic athletes.
Left: Diego Balleza, Berlin Olympian 2023. Center, Azul Almazán (Sydney olympian). Right: Ballerina, choreographer & professor Michelle Ramos.
Elite dancers, artists & olympians share much. They train from a very young age and dedicate their lives to become instruments of art and of their respective sports. In the water, in the air, on stage and on the screen as Azul said " We respond".
It is very important to bring light into what most people don't know. Although there may be medals, awards, and glamour, often times the exhaustive amount of work that goes into training physically, mentally and emotially year after year is not as well compensated and takes a tremendous toll accompanied by injuries. Sometimes, the lack of financial support prohibits the competition or the performance.
Diego Balleza and Randall Willars where able to compete in the recent Berlin olympics due to the financial support of Mexican actress Karla Souza, Martha Higareda and another anomimous donor. Azul was the key thread uniting athletes, artists and sponsors from diverse fields to make this happen.
The goal is for all sectors of society to collaborate with one another promoting talent, excellence and health. The demands athletes, dancers & artists face are beyond what most people imagine. As their heart leads the way, some in innocence are taken for granted and even abused (financially, emotionally and/or physically). In some cases greed or competition are the causes, in others, ignorance and lack of education which makes anyone suceptible to make mistakes of varying magnitudes.
The purpouse is not to blame but to inform and prevent; to support all sectors to work in harmony continuously and to learn together - constructing one-another.
We know arts & sports uplift the fabrics of humanity and their healthy existance are signs of progress. As peoples of all ages continue to dance, play, paint, sing and act, for recreation or well being, they re-create themselves. That being said, a profession is different than a hobby. Our livelihood is a territory that surpasses most people's vision.
What does it truly take to sustain a life in dance, art and as an athlete?
Each country and organization has its own intricacies. Fortunately, national insitutions are often stable resources of support. Nevertheless, their economy can also suffer and much.
We join our voices of support for olympic athletes, elite dancers & artists; for all peoples to have their human rights fully respected and to enjoy lives of dignity and honor in the lights and after.
Thank you very much,
Muchas gracias, Michelle Ramos.
External links: https://olympics.com/en/video/the-best-dives-at-tokyo2020
https://olympics.com/en/athletes/jose-diego-balleza-isaias https://olympics.com/en/news/gold-is-just-the-starter-for-willars-valdez https://olympics.com/en/athletes/azul-lizeth-almazan-lopez
Diego diving: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVNkBw17Bso Randall diving: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWEh0LJdOvs
After the August 2023 celebration of The National School of Classical & Contemporary Dance at the Palace of Fine Arts, Mexico City. Olympic Diver Azul Almazan and Ballerina, Choreographer & Professor Michelle Ramos.
Reunion with dearest choreographer Nellie Happee, now 94 years old and one of Michelle’s Fairy Godmother’s of Dance. “ Hada Marina”
“Gratefulness is the heart’s memory”
“ El agradecimiento es la memoria del corazón” - Lao Tsé