Soccer at Altitude

Bolivian president Evo Morales (left) played an exhibition soccer game with government officials on June 12 near the peak of Mt. Sajama (6,542 meters), the highest mountain in the country. The match was held to protest against the decision from FIFA that prohibits holding international games at altitudes of 2,500 meters above sea level for the sake of players’ health. Under the new regulations, the country’s capital city cannot host international games because it is 3,600 meters over sea level.