Expectations remain high in Mexico despite budget cuts. This is the premise in the land of the Aztecs as they look ahead to Paris 2024. Can Mexico buck the trend that suggests countries that invest more tend to do better? Time, and of course efficiency, will be the judge.

Despite significant budget cuts in North America, Mexico's divers are hoping to achieve their best performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Although there has been some controversy among athletes over the austerity measures imposed on Olympic preparation funding, expectations remain high.

The Mexican Olympic Committee (COM) requested a budget of 100 million pesos (around €5.1 million) from the National Commission for Physical Culture and Sports (CONADE), but only about 30% of this was approved. Ana Gabriela Guevara, the director general of CONADE and a silver medallist in the 400 metres at Athens 2004, approved only 29 million pesos (€1.48 million).

How will the shortfall be made up? The Mexican Olympic Committee (COM) plans to fill the gap with the help of private sponsors. However, it's uncertain how much of the difference will be covered, as saying it is one thing, doing it is another.

This controversy is part of a wider reduction in resources for Mexican sport, as CONADE has cut financial incentives for athletes in line with the austerity policies of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who was elected in 2018.

Some Mexican athletes have had to find creative ways to generate extra funds. For example, diver Kevin Berlín sold coffee and members of the synchronised swimming team advertised swimsuits to help cover the costs of the world's most important sporting event.

Guevara, who has been accused by the COM of trying to exclude certain sports from the Paris 2024 delegation due to a perceived lack of competitiveness, has set an ambitious target for her athletes: to beat Mexico's best Olympic medal haul of nine from Mexico City 1968 (three medals each).

Despite the controversy, COM vice-president Daniel Aceves was optimistic: "I would say there are ten or twelve events with serious medal prospects. I dare say that Mexico will play a historic role".

Mexico has won 73 Olympic medals in its history - 13 gold, 24 silver and 36 bronze. Diving is the sport with the most medals with 15 (1 gold, 7 silver and 7 bronze) and at Paris 2024, divers are Mexico's main hope.

Alejandra Orozco will be looking for her third Olympic medal in the platform synchronised event alongside Gabriela Agúndez. Osmar Olvera (springboard) and Randal Willars (platform) are also strong medal contenders.

"Throughout history, Mexico has had great divers and I want to continue that tradition and get on the podium," said Willars.

Taekwondo has brought Mexico seven Olympic medals (2 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze). Hopes for Paris 2024 are pinned on two competitors who arrive with victories from the Pan American Games: Daniela Souza (gold in Lima 2019 and Santiago 2023) and Carlos Sansores (champion in Santiago 2023).

"I'm missing an Olympic medal and I'm going for it," declared Sansores, who is also the Guadalajara 2022 World Champion.

Another athlete with strong medal prospects is Alejandra Valencia, following her outstanding performance at the Archery World Championships in Turkey. The men's team, comprising Matías Grande, Javier Rojas and Bruno Martínez, are also in the running for a medal at Paris 2024.

Archers have brought Mexico three Olympic medals in history and, according to Daniel Aceves, Mexico could also win medals in other disciplines such as boxing, triathlon, modern pentathlon and shooting.

Against all odds, gymnast Alexa Moreno, who finished fourth on vault at Tokyo 2020, will be aiming for a podium finish at Paris 2024 after winning gold at the World Championships in Slovenia in June.

Other hopefuls include the synchronised swimming team. The "Sirens" will be competing at Paris 2024 following their impressive performance last year, when they won four medals (three gold and one bronze) at the World Championships in Egypt and gold at the Pan American Games in Santiago 2023.

Mexico is expected to send a delegation of 105 athletes to the Summer Games, returning to Europe after 12 years, according to estimates from CONADE and COM (the final numbers are still being finalised).

Of the 105 athletes, around 10% have serious medal prospects, according to COM - a significant number that, if achieved, would mark the best Olympic Games in Mexico's history, despite the government's slashed sports budget. Can Mexico make history despite the budget cuts? Only time will tell.