A French trail runner has become the unfortunate protagonist of the latest infringement in the National Park of Teide. Elite athlete Thibaut Baronian, who is in Tenerife preparing for the upcoming Transvulcania event, filmed a training session in the Pico Viejo area where he crossed the marked trails and stepped on prohibited ground.
Baronian, who has since deleted the video from his social media, has apologized for his actions and wanted to send a message to the people of the Canary Islands. Against the backdrop of the 20A demonstration, the Frenchman mentions the insults he received for his actions, which do not help improve the island’s situation.
Politicians have also wanted to weigh in on this issue. The Vice President of the Cabildo de Tenerife, Lope Afonso, has condemned the actions of the French athlete in Teide: “We are delighted to welcome elite athletes to the island, but we all must adhere to the rules“.
The official referred to the approval of a fee to access protected landscapes in Tenerife: “This is one of the reasons why we approved the ecological fee, which will help improve the management and conservation of natural spaces.” The Vice President concluded: “This is also not acceptable.”
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[–>Last week, the island’s Cabildo approved the introduction of a fee for non-residents. It will take effect from January 1, 2025, and was supported by the ruling party, Popular Party and Coalición Canaria, and the main opposition party, the PSOE.
