Spain unveils its list of athletes for the Paris Olympics

Wednesday, July 3, 2024, 2:48 p.m. | Updated 2:54 p.m.

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Spain has revealed the pre-list of 57 athletes who will represent the country at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games, scheduled from 26 July to 11 August. This selection marks the largest delegation since the London 2012 Games, with a historic balance: for the first time, there are more women than men, with 31 female athletes and 26 male athletes. The selection of these athletes has been rigorous, based on criteria established by the coach, José Peiró, and the sports management of the Spanish Athletics Federation (RFEA).

The selection process has been meticulous, considering performance in national and international competitions, as well as compliance with minimum standards. The initial list of 57 athletes could increase before the July 7 deadline, as the federation is awaiting possible withdrawals that would allow up to five additional qualified athletes to join.

Among the standouts in the delegation is Ana Peleteiro, an Olympic bronze medallist at the Tokyo 2020 Games, who arrives in Paris with an impressive recent record that includes a gold at the European Championships in Rome and a bronze at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow this year. Peleteiro is renowned for her tenacity and competitive ability, establishing herself as one of Spain’s main medal hopes in the triple jump.

Two-time world champions in race walking, María Pérez and Álvaro Martín, are other key pillars of the team. Both Spanish athletes have shown consistency and mastery in their speciality, emerging as serious contenders for the Olympic podium in Paris. Jordan Díaz, European triple jump champion with an impressive time of 18.18 metres, is also emerging as a star of the Spanish team, with high expectations for his Olympic debut.

In the long and middle distance categories, Esther Guerrero stands out in the 1500 metres, recently a finalist in the European Championships in Rome, and Marta García in the 5000 metres, holder of the national record and bronze medallist in the same European competition. In addition, Carolina Robles and Irene Sánchez-Escribano will compete in the 3000 metres steeplechase.

Mixed relay, a new discipline

In the men’s competition, athletes such as Mohamed Attaoui, Josué Canales and Adrián Ben in the 800 metres, Mario García Romo in the 1500 metres and Adel Mechaal, who already has Olympic experience in the same distance, bring experience and skill to the team. Thierry Ndikumwenayo, European bronze medallist in Rome in the 5000 metres, leads the 1000 metres duo together with Abdessahmad Oukhelfen, who was also in Rome.

The Spanish relay team promises to be thrilling. The women’s 4x100m quartet, led by Jaël-Sakura Bestué and Paula García, will be looking to make history in their first Olympic participation in this event, with Maribel Pérez, Esther Navero, Sonia Molina Prados and Paula Sevilla. Meanwhile, the men’s 4x400m team, led by Óscar Husillos, will be looking to establish themselves as one of the best quartets in the world in this distance, with Julio Arenas, Iñaki Cañal, David García Zurita and Manuel Guijarro.

In the 20km walk, the Spanish team will be made up of the already announced Diego García Carrera, Álvaro Martín and Paul McGrath in the men’s category, and Laura García-Caro, Cristina Montesinos and María Pérez in the women’s category. As for the mixed relay, an event that makes its debut at the Olympic Games, the six athletes who will compete in the individual event are eligible to form part of the Spanish team: Diego García, Álvaro Martín, Paul McGrath, Laura García-Caro, Cristina Montesinos and María Pérez. In addition, Spain has registered another four athletes in the mixed relay who could compete: Alberto Amezcua, Miguel Ángel López, Antía Chamosa and Raquel González.

In hurdles and throwing events, athletes such as Quique Llopis in the 110m hurdles, Asier Martínez in the 300m, Daniel Arce in the 3000m steeplechase, Diego García Carrera, Álvaro Martín and Paul McGrath in the 20km walk, Laura García-Caro, Cristina Montesinos and María Pérez in the mixed relay, and Belén Toimil in the shot put, will seek to stand out in the Olympic competition.

With such a strong and balanced delegation, Spain is preparing to compete on multiple fronts at Paris 2024, hoping to improve on its previous performance and add more medals to the country’s Olympic pedigree.

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2024-07-03 12:54:20
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