Cricel Explains Suspension from B.B.B.F.F.

The suspension came following Castillo’s participation as Miss Fitness Belize at the Arnold Classic Bodybuilding Tournament in Columbus, Ohio earlier this year. Castillo and Mister Belize, Rigo Vellos, both competed in the tournament in February. According to Cricel, her suspension resulted from a request for assistance she made to the Olympic Committee to cover cost of her participation in the international competition. She also claims that her post on social media expressing her discontent over the lack of support she was getting from the federation angered the B.B.B.F.F.  In a one-on-one with Castillo today, News Five got her side on the matter.

Cricel Castillo, Bodybuilder

Cricel Castillo

“When I returned and I realized that I was being suspended, I was really amazed. I was like wow I had just accomplished so much to be kind of almost punished. So I was surprised and I just didn’t understand why. It was nothing that extreme you understand. So that was the only thing that really puzzled me.  Ultimately what the association said was that I was being disrespectful and unethical and whatnot and that I didn’t pursue the summons that they had invited me to; I didn’t want to engage even though I was present. I have never been unprofessional in my life to anybody.”

Duane Moody

“Did you break any protocol that you went over the president of the association’s head?”

Cricel Castillo

“Honestly speaking, what he basically explained is that I never should have gone to the Olympic Committee without going through him first. And being an amateur in the sport, I had just moved back to Belize. I had just moved back after graduating with my masters. I wasn’t sure of the procedure, the protocol. I just know that I wanted to go represent Belize and I knew that I needed to raise these funds. They should have then sat me down and explained all of this in the rule book and the code of ethics so that I knew the procedures but they didn’t. So I went to the Olympic Committee on my own and that’s the reason I found out that you know money was given for Rigo and I, which in he said he needed it for himself, so he kept it. And he suspended me because I posted something about it. I posted that the reason why athletes can’t go far is because sometimes the system is a little bit corrupted.  In terms of the suspension, they basically said that they are suspending me because of a Facebook post I initiated prior to leaving Belize. Yes I was a little upset, but I didn’t post that to demoralize anyone which is why when I had posted that, I never called any names. It was just one vague statement. I didn’t call anyone’s names, any association, but guilty as charged, they had happened to comment on it. So obviously you are a little guilty at that point. And I’m guessing that because they’ve been exposed, they basically want to do anything they can to ensure that they are still withheld in that professional regard and I need to be punished. My case is just one of plenty obviously and it just makes me feel really bad to know that we have athletes who have the potential; we are so talented, but we lack resources and to know that to simply asking for help, I personally, I got in trouble. I mean that was something that I think opened up a lot for other athletes here and it shook them up cause it’s like why should we go through all of this if this can happen to her.”