If we think of great Spanish athletes, names like Carolina Marín come to mind. The badminton playera native of Huelva, has managed to win gold at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, becoming world champion three times and European champion seven times. To his impressive career is added today the renowned Princess of Asturias Sports Awardwhich you will receive this Friday, October 25 at an event chaired by the Royal Family.
At 31 years old, he enjoys a enviable career. And that effort and dedication has been rewarded. The young woman has received the Princess of Asturias Sports Award 2024. A distinction that great figures such as Severiano Ballesteros, Miguel Induráin, Fernando Alonso, Rafael Nadal, Javier Sotomayor and Martina Navratilova also have in their possession.
This 2024 seemed like it was going to be Carolina Marín’s year and, confident, she went with everything to the Paris Olympic Games. He wished with all his might conquer the long-awaited Olympic throne. He reached the semi-final and, when he was only one step away from glory, ‘collapsed’.
Carolina Marín’s withdrawal from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
“I have broken myself.” These were the words that the Spaniard said to her coach in the middle of the match before the final after feeling severe pain in her right knee. Finally, with rage and tears in my eyes, The Huelva native had to leave and say goodbye to his dream of achieving, once again, a medal in the Olympic Games.
After a few weeks of recovery and disconnection, Carolina Marín is back on the media scene. This Tuesday, September 4, she goes to ‘El Hormiguero’ as a guest, where she will talk about her injury and show her most intimate side. While waiting for the appointment with Pablo Motos, we review his personal life outside badminton.
Who is Carolina Marín’s boyfriend?
It is known that Carolina Marín has maintained a stable relationship with the athlete Gen Esteban San Millánenrolled in the Real Sociedad athletics team. Both have shared their love on social media, especially on TikTok.
However, last May the Spaniard confirmed to David Broncano in ‘La Resistencia’ that she was going through a breakup. «I’ve had a crisis, so… There’s the bad thing»he was sincere.
Since that moment, they have not been seen together again nor have they uploaded any publications on their profiles.
The loss of his father
In 2020, Carolina Marín received one of the hardest blows of his life. His father, Gonzalo Marín, died in July of that year due to a work accident.
The man always supported her in her sports career. A gesture that the Huelva native values. «I know you were proud of your daughter, but I want you to know that your daughter was always as proud or more proud of the father you were. You traveled around Spain and the world to help me and see me fulfill my dreams.. Daddy, we will always fight together,” he expressed in a farewell letter published in X.
His hobby before badminton
Carolina Marín discovered badminton at the age of eight and she recognizes that from that precise moment she is “in love” with this sport. However, the one from Huelva has another great hobby.
The young woman is a passionate about dance and, especially, flamenco. In his biography written on the official portal of the Olympic Games it is highlighted that he was heading towards a possible career in this discipline, although his good hand with the racket changed the course of his profession.
Carolina Marín’s future in badminton
Although Carolina Marín’s future in badminton is uncertain, the Spaniard has made it clear that doesn’t want to give up. «I have thought about it a lot. I would be very sad if an injury took me out. I want to retire on a badminton courtbut I don’t know when. I have a date planned. “If we work well and the leg recovers and I’m mentally willing, I see it as possible,” he declared in an interview on Cope’s program ‘El Partidazo’.
«I see the Games as very far away, my idea was to retire next year at the World Cup in Paris. I see another appointment in 2026, a European championship to be held in Huelva. “I would love to retire at home,” he added.
