José Peláez, President of the Pan American Cycling Confederation (COPACI), described the sudden death of the young Colombian commissioner Ivone Melissa Calderón Cárdenas, daughter of another great commissioner of that nation, José Ángel Calderón, as a wound to Latin American cycling.

As reported by the Colombian Cycling Federation, 25-year-old Melissa died after five days hospitalized for otitis, which was complicated until she suffered brain death. The cycling family of America is shocked by the news.

Below we reproduce the full message published on social networks by the owner of the Copaci.

INJURY TO LATIN AMERICAN CYCLING: CONDOLENCES TO JOSÉ ÁNGEL CALDERÓN.-

Saturday’s call was shocking again. The news was painful for the entire Colombian and American cycling family. The daughter of international commissioner José Ángel Calderón Triviño, the young national BMX commissioner, Ivone Melissa Calderón Cárdenas died at just 25 years old, after suffering a brain death.

After several days fighting for life in the hospital in Bogotá, Melissa left us when her career was becoming more promising and encouraging. To her father, whom I have known for many years, I extend my heartfelt personal condolences and on behalf of the Pan American Cycling Confederation (COPACI). I also dare to say that the entire family of our sport in America shares the sadness that overwhelms us.

In these final days of 2022, when we most need the warmth of our families, we can only accompany our international commissioner José Ángel Calderón Triviño with that hug from a friend and brother. In such hard moments, words are not enough. A blow like this overwhelms our souls. Strength and breath.