Last chance saloon
Guadalajara rhythmic gymnast Cynthia Valdez has a chance of qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics after bagging an invitation to a pre-Olympic event in the British capital from January 16-18. Ten gymnasts will vie for the four wild card slots for the July/August games in the rhythmic category.
Valdez won the hearts of the city after winning two gold and three silver medals in her hometown Pan American Games last October. “I’ll do my best. But I know it will be difficult,” Valdez said after hearing the news.
Free Wi-fi
Three million users logged onto Guadalajara’s free wireless internet service in 2011, its first year in operation.
Run by the city hall in coordination with Telmex, GDL Libre experienced sustained growth of around 20 percent per month.
The free WiFi is available in 125 public spaces across the munipality, 24 hours a day. This year the city aims to extend coverage to a further 25 hotspots. The most popular connection point has been on Avenida Chapultepec, which has hosted 10,000 users a day, followed by the historic center, with around 4,000 a day.
Ice rink
The temporary ice rink set up outside the Cabañas Institute will be open until January 16.
Park and Ride
The park and ride system introduced during the Pan American Games is to be expanded throughout Guadalajara, according to the State Transportation Department (SVT).
With the aim of reducing traffic congestion, the park and ride system enables people to leave their car at a designated point and continue the journey to popular sites or venues by public transport.
A state government initiative to improve urban mobility within the city, the park and ride system will encourage drivers to leave their vehicles at malls and take special buses to busy events such as soccer games at the Omnilife and Jalisco stadiums or concerts at the Telmex Auditorio.
Although having to pay for parking at a mall is one inconvenience, the scheme’s benefits include reducing pollution, easing access to entertainment venues and avoiding inconvenience to local residents.
Soccer season starts
Less than a month after Tigres of Monterrey won the 2011 Apertura championship, the Mexican soccer league is back. The Clausura 2012 (a six-month season) kicks off this weekend with Guadalajara Chivas beginning their campaign at home against Cancun’s Atlante on Saturday.
Faced with the prospect of relegation after finishing bottom in the last campaign, Chivas’ local rivals Atlas start their fight for survival on the road at Puebla on Sunday. UAG’s Estudiantes Tecos make up the third Tapatio side in Mexico’s top flight, while the UdeG’s Leones Negros compete in the promotion league.
Upcoming local games:
- Guadalajara Chivas vs. Atlante (Estadio Omnilife) Saturday, January 7, 7 p.m.
- Estudiantes Tecos vs. San Luis (Estadio Tres de Marzo) Friday, January 13, 8.10 p.m.
- Leones Negros vs. Cruz Azul Hidalgo (Estadio Jalisco) Friday, January 13, 8.45 p.m.
- Atlas vs. Cruz Azul (Estadio Jalisco) Saturday, January 14, 8.45 p.m.