“What we do is history, we must replicate it in the rest of the world” | Relief

This Thursday the Madrid High Performance Center witnessed a competition as unusual as it was necessary. Almost 300 athletes with and without disabilities, some of them medalists in the last Paris 2024 Games, have participated in the II Inclusive Games promoted by the Sanitas Foundation. A competition in which everyone, Olympians and Paralympians, compete together.

In its second edition, the Inclusive Games They have had a luxury posterwhether to compete or to simply champion inclusivity: Saúl Craviotto, Teresa Perales, Nadia Comaneci, Carolina Marín, Hicham El Guerrouj, Pincho Ortega, Javier Sotomayor, Mariana Zúñiga… So many names that are already the history of Olympic and Paralympic sports and that This Thursday they showed the best side of the sport in the Spanish capital.

Iñaki Ereño, CEO of Bupa (parent company of Sanitas) explained how the first seed for what happened today was planted: “The idea arose in 2010, 14 years ago, where We saw that sport, which is something that unites, in the case of people with disabilities and who did not have it, were not completely united. Therefore, we could think of a tool that would unite it and that was inclusive sport. So, we started with various initiatives…” until we reached this Wednesday with a celebration of sport that has been a success, especially for the athletes who have participated.

“The truth is that we were all super happy. It couldn’t have been gold, but the truth is that it has been a lot of fun… I think Felipón (Reyes) already hates us, because he got a blister on his hand after touching the wheel…” The one who laughs is Pincho Ortegaone of the great references of the wheelchair basketball team. The gold was taken from Iñaki de Miguel’s team, former player of the national basketball team… standing, who has also suffered injuries from sitting in the chair: “The truth is that one feels very clumsy, but hey, I have become stronger within the zone and I have scored some baskets, although my hand is destroyed. It’s very difficult, they fouled me and I didn’t touch the rim on free throws, but I am delighted to be able to participate.”

The combination of Olympians and Paralympians has also been possible for one day in athletics, a discipline in which Javier Sotomayor has held the high jump record since 1989. “In some way, we are all disabled, because many of these athletes whom we call disabled have the ability to do things that we cannot do. It is very nice for everyone to unite these values ​​and enjoy these beautiful moments,” explained the former Cuban jumper.

María Delgado won two metals in the last Paralympic Games and has not stopped receiving congratulations since then, but today she enjoyed it as if she were in Paris competing as equals with swimmers with disabilities: “It has been exciting that we have experienced it, both Olympians like paralympians. We want this message of inclusion to reach society and if we do it through sport, then I think it is a very beautiful message.”

His teammate, Teresa Perales, He made history in Paris with his 28th medal. Today he received praise from Nadia Comaneci —who has assured that it inspires her—and has also sent a message to the world: “What we are doing is history, we must replicate it in the rest of the world, because it is a movement that is very worthwhile. It gives the opportunity to many athletes to that they can practice sports, we can live together, we can learn from each other and do what we like most, which is competing and sharing values.

In 2021, the I Inclusive Games were born after Tokyo 2020. On this occasion, the tournament has expanded its borders and athletes from Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Poland and the United Kingdom, as well as Spain, have competed in 14 disciplines (athletics, badminton, wheelchair basketball, handball, duathlon, fencing, hockey, judo, karate, swimming, rugby , taekwondo, table tennis and archery).

The big “absent” on the badminton court, but not in the event, has been Carolina Marín. In Paris, a tough injury kept him from the medals in a tragic way, but he did not want to miss the event and offer a good reflection: “Both in badminton and Paralympic badminton, We are talking about holding a racket and a shuttlecock, therefore, it is the same sport. Today we are in a very nice event and we have seen that this mix is ​​about to grow, we have to take many baby steps and I think that in this event a big step has been taken.”

For a moment, Saúl Craviotto He has imagined the Olympic and Paralympic Games held at the same time: “In an idyllic world where it could be done it would be very nice”. Like badminton, the Spanish canoeing federation also integrates Paralympic sport and its competitions are held at the same time. Even so, the greatest Olympic medalist in Spanish history has expressed gratitude for sharing the tournament with his Paralympic counterparts. “In these Games you always learn new things in the end. I think it is appreciated that initiatives like this are carried out, where inclusive sport is brought closer, the values ​​it brings of integration, improvement and equality. It is something wonderful and as an athlete and “As a citizen we can only thank the people who make it possible.”