Imptek pays tribute to Ecuadorian athletes and sports projects that took the country to the top in 2024

Quito, February 5, 2025 - Saint-Gobain Imptek, a leading company in the waterproofing, road and light construction market, paid tribute to sports projects and elite athletes such as cycling, trail, mountaineering and others. For more than 15 years, the company has made a genuine commitment to local athletes, promoting their disciplines and achievements. This support is aligned with its goal of promoting wellness, fostering Ecuadorian talent and supporting local tourism.

At the event, athletes Gabriela Loaiza, Paola Uquillas, Joaquín López, Xavier Chiriboga, Sebastián Carrasco, Martín Santiago Sotomayor and the Life Adventure Team athletes: Francisco Pinto, Tania Díaz, along with brothers Gonzalo and Juan José Calisto were recognized. They were accompanied by Nadia Dumani, Undersecretary of Sports.

"Together with Imptek we have managed to be an example of change, of discipline, of resilience, of how far the will can take you. Nothing is impossible when you decide to break down those limits that you build yourself," said cyclist Gabriela Loaiza on behalf of her teammates.

During 2024, these athletes have been successful and have played a fundamental role in making Ecuador's natural and cultural wealth known to the world. In addition, the impulse given in national and international competitions, thanks to private support, has contributed to the growth of Ecuadorian sports.

Imptek also recognized the work of its strategic partners, Santiago Lopez and Rodolfo Peralta, directors of Proyecto Aventura, who, together with Heidi Muller of Adventure Racing World Series (ARWS), have organized important adventure races in the country. This alliance, which has been the main sponsor of the competition for more than three years, culminated with the Huairasinchi 2024 Adventure World Cup in Cuenca with the participation of more than 400 people, including locals and internationals. The company has also sponsored the Non-Stop race since 2012, consolidating its support for the development of internationally renowned events.

The organization's management goes beyond financial support and focuses on creating a genuine connection with the athletes. "At Imptek, we strongly believe in the transformative power of sport, especially in disciplines such as adventure racing. These activities not only demand an exceptional combination of physical and mental strength, but also promote fundamental values such as respect for nature, resilience and commitment to self-improvement," said Juan Pablo Sotomayor, General Manager of Saint-Gobain Imptek.

Imptek has sponsored 15 athletes on a national scale with a support of more than 300,000 dollars in the last three years. Thanks to this commitment, Ecuadorian sports have achieved outstanding positions at the national and international level. "Our purpose of 'Making the World a Better Home' is aligned with supporting all sports disciplines, and we continue to bet on these athletes and competitions as a vehicle for personal growth and the union of communities," Sotomayor emphasized,

The space was a testament to how sport and business commitment can go hand in hand, contributing to Ecuador's development and global well-being. Imptek will continue to promote sports as a means to inspire, educate and strengthen the community.

About Saint-Gobain:

A world leader in lightweight and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. It offers integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, lightweight construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry developed through a process of continuous innovation, bringing sustainability and performance. The Group's commitment is guided by its purpose, "MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME".

• €47.9 billion in sales in 2023  
• 160,000 employees, presence in 79 countries  
• Committed to achieving zero net carbon emissions by 2050  

About Imptek:

Imptek-Chova del Ecuador S.A. is an Ecuadorian company of the Saint-Gobain Group with 45 years in the waterproofing, road and light construction market.

Its commitment to quality and innovation, the application of processes, its national and international certifications, its qualified personnel and environmentally responsible practices are some of the reasons why it is part of the 1000 most important companies in Ecuador. Since 2021 and to date it is a Great Place to Work certified company. Imptek has been exporting its products for 30 years to more than 8 countries in Latin America.

• 18 million in sales in 2024
• 100 employees, locations in 1 country
• Committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050

For more information about Imptek, Visit: http://www.imptekcorp.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram,YouTube and Tiktok.

Press Contact - MC Communications/ Strategic Communications Agency: Diana Serrano/ Cell. 098 456 1681

Profiles of the sponsored athletes and their main achievements

1. Paola Uquillas

Paola Uquillas is an outstanding communicator, marketer and athlete passionate about trail running. With more than 10 years of experience in mountain races, she has run emblematic places around the world, achieving important podiums such as first place in Germany. In 2024, she once again demonstrated her excellence in trail running by winning first place in the women's category in the 26 km Mindo Trail.

2. Gabriela Loaiza

Gabriela Loaiza is a leading cyclist in the "Extraordinarias" project that seeks to get more women on bikes in a typically male sport. In 2022 and 2023 Gabriela earned recognition for her outstanding participation in the Enduro World Championships, placing in the top 10 worldwide. In 2024, she reached an important achievement by obtaining first place in the West Bike Cup in Switzerland, consolidating her trajectory as one of the most outstanding female cyclists.

3. Sebastian Carrasco

Sebastián Carrasco is a high performance athlete. His passion and determination have made him a reference in the promotion of sports inclusion for people with disabilities locally and internationally. In 2023 he accomplished an impressive feat and climbed the iconic "El Capitan" in California. In 2024, Sebastian has focused on competing in the handcycle modality, both road and mountain, within the e-handbike category.

4. Martin Sotomayor

Martin Sotomayor is a passionate trail running athlete who has spent the last four years perfecting his technique in mountain races. He specializes in short distances of up to 10 km. In 2024, his effort and dedication led him to obtain second place in his category in the Quito Trail by UTMB, consolidating himself as a reference in the discipline.

5. Xavier Chiriboga

Xavier Chiriboga is a passionate trail athlete who has dedicated his life to challenge his own limits in every competition and consolidate himself as a reference in the world of trail running. In 2024, he won first place in the Colorado Trail Race and is preparing for new challenges such as the Triple Crown and the Arizona Trail.

6. Joaquin Lopez

Joaquín López is an outstanding trail running and adventure competition athlete, recognized for his skill and endurance in some of the most demanding terrains in the world. In 2024, he made history by becoming the first Latin American to achieve a place on the podium of the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB), establishing himself as one of the best trail running athletes in the world. He received an honorable mention from the Metropolitan District of Quito as one of the most outstanding athletes of 2023, and was recognized as an outstanding Alumni by the Universidad San Francisco de Quito. In addition, he was nominated among the most influential athletes in Ecuador by Ekos magazine and selected as one of the 50 people with the most relevant actions of 2025 by the same magazine.

7. Life Adventure Team

The Life Adventure Team Imptek has been a reference for Ecuador in the adventure world championships, representing the country in international competitions in Spain (2021), Paraguay (2022) and South Africa (2023). Formed by Francisco Pinto, Gonzalo and Juan José Calisto, and Tania Díaz, the team has stood out for its consistency and performance, achieving outstanding positions in each edition. Since its creation in 2016, it has managed to remain among the best, placing in the top 10 of the world ranking for three consecutive years and reaching 8th place in 2024, being the only Ecuadorian team to do so and consolidating itself as one of the best worldwide in this discipline.

8. Project Adventure

Led by Santiago López and Rodolfo Peralta, Proyecto Aventura is a team passionate about discovering and promoting deep Ecuador, offering unique adventure experiences that allow people to explore, learn about and value the natural and cultural diversity of the country.

In 2024, Proyecto Aventura led, for the second time, the organization and execution of the Imptek Huairasinchi Adventure World Cup, held in Cuenca.