The advantages (and the ‘problem’) of the expected union of Spanish sport and the Armed Forces

“You don’t know what this means to us. This is what we were missing, something I’ve been pursuing since 2005. I tried with three ministers, it couldn’t be done. You had to go to the ministry to get something that Spanish sport demanded, something that makes us equal in helping athletes to other countries that we have as an example”. The words are from the speech of Alejandro Blanco, president of the Spanish Olympic Committee, after the presentation of a project that will facilitate the inclusion of our country’s athletes in the Armed Forces and with it a stability which, in many cases, their rivals already enjoyed.

Precisely the latter was chosen to represent the union between the Ministry of Defense and the Spanish Olympic Committee. “There is Italian, but also German, Polish, Czech… We have to sit down and compare and enhance ours to see how far we can go. We are in the first step, we cannot ask to have everything at the first try. We are going to learn and improve, without jumping into the pool,” says Arévalo, who spoke to Eurosport and gave a good account of the stability that this initiative will mean for athletes. “It’s a security to have that support. I always say it: every time I go to a competition, where I receive the most messages is from the Armed Forces. When something goes wrong, the first ones to write to me are my colleagues. And then athletes don’t live on air. When our sports career is over we have to have a job. The State invests a lot of money and time in us. Having a salary gives us security to continue training in case we have an injury or stay without scholarship It gives you a cushion,” explains the man from Betanzos, who has already received interest from some athletes. “Many people interested in the subject have written to me. We are still working on the details, we have just announced it and we have to present the new call and everything has to be very detailed. But I see a lot of interest in athletes to be able to enter.”

The presentation of the project was warmly received at the headquarters of the Spanish Olympic Committee, and numerous athletes and Olympic medalists attended the event. The general feeling is one of gratitude for having one more help in a career, the sporting one, which is too ephemeral and has an early expiration date. “It is very important that we are given different options. We are always complaining that the athlete is not helped and this is a branch, I don’t know if it is definitive, but the fact of giving it a start is good,” he tells us. Adriana CerezoOlympic silver in Tokyo 2020 and one of the possible interested parties in competing for one of these places. “Yes, I have considered it. I will finish my degree next year with the TFG and it is something that really catches my attention. I don’t know if in the end I will end up doing it because I have to study well how to make it compatible with the sporting field, but I do. I’ll look.” Laura Herediathe first Spanish woman to participate in modern pentathlon in the Games, will also consider it: “I’m going to inform myself a little better, to see what the possibilities are, what I could specialize in and, above all, how I would combine it in my daily life. I train many hours, penta It has a lot of dedication behind it. We will see the options.” Others like Jordan DiazOlympic champion in Paris 2024 in triple jump, Niko Shera, double world champion in judo, or Reyes PlaOlympic bronze in boxing, celebrate the agreement although at the moment they do not see themselves being part of it.

The athletes They will have preference to apply for 50 places a year in the Armed Forces, intended for troops and sailors. Their merits will be evaluated and they will have to pass medical, physical and psychological tests at a Selection Center. They will then go to a military teaching centerwhere they will acquire the basic knowledge of the profession before being assigned to the unit of their choice. Then you will have several options: remain in the troops and sailors until they become reservists (in the case of Garrigós), promote to non-commissioned officer or officer (Arévalo is currently in that process) or separate from the army and apply for positions in the public administration or the different police forces, taking advantage of their military training.

There is, however, an important drawback that some athletes present at the event did not overlook: one of the requirements to qualify for these places, in addition to having compulsory higher education (ESO), is being between 18 and 29 years oldwhich makes it impossible for those over that age to take advantage of this benefit. Maria Perezgold and silver in Paris 2024 underway, spoke about this matter for Eurosport. “I think the initiative is great, it is one more step towards becoming similar to other European countries, but the problem is in age. What do we do with athletes who are older, are still active and tomorrow do not know what is going to happen? There is still concern there. But it is a big step forward. Let’s see if it serves as an example so that politicians continue to believe that the athlete can do a job for his country, which he already does by representing Spain at a high level for many years.”

One of those harmed by this requirement is the gymnast. Rayderley Zapatasilver in Tokyo 2020. “In my case I am 31 years old and I would not be able to access it. I have spoken with Carlos Arévalo and they have told me that they are going to try to turn this around so that athletes have a special privilege. In the end it is the first call, you will see the reception it has. For now I see everyone very happy, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Because if I go to Los Angeles at 35 years old… then what do we do? This is going to give peace of mind,” Ray tells Eurosport, making it clear that he is attracted to the idea in case these ‘exceptions’ are achieved. “I would love toI think the suit looks great on me (laughs). In addition, it shares the values ​​of Olympic sport, there are many things in common. “They are different experiences that life gives you, why not in the military?”