The Paris Olympic Games officially kick off next Friday, July 26, so it is not surprising to see the excited expression on the face of Alejandro Blanco (73 years old, Orense). President of the Spanish Olympic Committee since 2005, his experience helps him better deal with conflicts, which always arise, but it does not dampen his almost youthful desire to experience a unique competition, which deserves the attention of more than half the world for just over two weeks.
You are asked to praise the medals that Spain can win and you do so without any hesitation. What makes you so optimistic?
The year before the Games, in both world and European championships, Spain won 68 medals. This is an objective figure and very good compared to other pre-Olympic years.
And the sensations?
I detect in athletes the desire to prove that they are the best. I have never seen such optimism before. That is why, for the first time, I dare to give a prediction.
And what is that forecast?
Claim
“Spanish athletes are special, they have nothing to envy of any foreigner”
I hope I’m not wrong, but in Paris we will surpass the 22 medals we won in Barcelona. That’s the challenge.
The Spanish delegation is very large.
The number of athletes in Barcelona has not been exceeded by a long shot, which is already a success. In Barcelona there were 421, in Tokyo 337 and now there will be 382, including eleven teams. Considering that the level of world sport has risen, this is a great achievement.
Is there anything special about the Spanish athlete? In the USA, the financial support for the Olympic Committee is 30 times higher…
You are underestimating this. We are doing quite badly. In Italy it is ten times more, in France, 12 times more… These countries beat us in medals, but not in the ratio between results and investment. Nobody beats us in that.
Because?
Spanish sport has something that others don’t have. First, our athletes. And second, something that we don’t value in Spain and it’s true, our coaches.
Tell me.
In many disciplines we have the most renowned athletes in the world and when we go to championships, both individually and in teams, we see that there are our coaches everywhere.
Any other features?
The clubs. The success of Spanish sport is based on how it works. And finally, we are distinguished by our federations. Our federative structure is incredible.
Investment
“A politician told me that why more money if we were already so good, and I almost fainted”
You paint it idyllic.
If you add to all this the competitive gene of our athletes, their character… The Spanish athlete has nothing to envy of any foreigner.
Not everything is perfect. The prestige of the Football Federation is tarnished by the Rubiales case. Have you noticed the negative impact on Spain’s image?
Not at all. If you talk to me about football, I will tell you that at the moment the women’s team is world champion and the men’s team is European champion. And we have an extraordinary league. A certain more or less successful performance does not tarnish that overall feeling.
What is your personal opinion on the matter?
It is in the hands of justice and Spanish football, as well as all our sport, is above any leader.
You highlight the results of Spanish athletes but call for more help.
A politician once told me that why invest more if we were already so good, and I almost fainted. The more resources you have, the more chances you have of success. Our programs are fueled by that idea.
What makes you most proud?
The International Olympic Committee is trying to achieve a 50-50 percentage of participation between men and women and it turns out that Spain, with 382 athletes, is going to achieve it: we are going with 192 girls and 190 boys. That figure is what excites me the most. Let the IOC come here and we will show them.
Satisfaction
“We are going to Paris with 192 girls and 190 boys. That is what excites me the most.”
What is the reason for this parity?
Girls also had that competitive gene, but they did not really take off until equal means and opportunities were promoted. Our athlete took off in London, where she won more medals than the boys. We have world-class figures.
The ADO plan is essential to help non-media athletes. Is there room for improvement?
Their philosophy is still valid, but at the moment, due to circumstances, we have less income. In September we will take up this issue again with the Government. It must be modified and they know it. Private investment is also vital. It is important that the company has a profitable return. There are some that help without asking for anything in return.
Will you take advantage of Paris to promote future Games in Madrid?
At the Games, there is zero diplomacy. There are 24 hours dedicated to our athletes from the first day to the last. In addition, I believe that Madrid and Spain are already explained in all areas and everyone knows what we do. What I hope is that many people come to the Casa de España in Paris to celebrate our successes.
Do you have many experiences to tell?
It is the part that is not seen, being with the athletes when they win and when they lose, speaking with the coaches and the federations… responding to a problem when the person most responsible for everything that happens is the president of the COE, which is a great honour.
A lot of stress is sensed.
It’s 17 days when you don’t sleep, 17 days during which you live what you’ve dreamed of all your life.
Are you still getting nervous?
Not anymore.
Emotion
“I cry with the athletes when they win and when they don’t, the tears are shared”
Do you remember the first medal you received when you were president?
Of course, I remember them all. But I don’t stick with any of them, they are all important.
Barcelona was a before and after.
Before Barcelona, I remember everything in black and white. At that time I was in the Judo Federation. Living through those Games was extraordinary. That magical moment of victory, of pain, of disappointment…
Win or lose.
When you win it is wonderful and when you don’t win it is a huge disappointment, never a defeat, because the one who fights until the end is never defeated.
Have you ever cried with athletes?
Of course. I don’t remember anyone who didn’t cry when they won a medal, and I don’t remember anyone who didn’t cry when they were disappointed. Tears are shed at the Games as a group. You have to always be by the athlete’s side and tell them that no matter what happens, you’re with them.
Has any case stood out for you?
I won’t mention his name, but a Spanish athlete, who finished second by just a few tenths of a second in Tokyo, was devastated. I said to him, ‘Are you aware that now you’re going up on the podium and billions of people are going to watch you, starting with your wonderful daughter? Go out and enjoy it.’ I remember it and I’m getting goosebumps because his face changed and he enjoyed it. If I win an Olympic medal, they’ll have to tie me up.
You get excited…
If I look back and ask myself about the best moments of my life, they are the ones I experienced during those 17 days. The Spanish team united, the flag bearers entering the stadium, the stadium falls down, everyone cries…
Are you more excited by less media-friendly athletes?
There are no distinctions at the Games. I have seen the most universal athlete we have become desperate during a match. With all the successes he has accumulated, he wanted to win. Everyone wants to do it, whether they are more or less famous.
Let’s talk about Rafa Nadal…
(Laughs)
What an image of the Mallorcan and Alcaraz playing doubles…
It will certainly be the photo of the Games. Also, don’t get angry, but you are going to win. That’s what I was saying. Rafa feels the vital need to be at the Games. And Alcaraz has already said that he prefers winning a gold medal to winning Wimbledon. It’s not about the money, it’s something else. It’s what moved Mireia Belmonte, Lydia Valentín, Carolina Marín…
You still idealise the Games a lot despite the impact of the war on some countries, some of which were banned, or the obvious commercial weight of the latest editions.
The principles of the Olympic movement have been adapted to each era, but athletes feel the same way. You hear the excitement of winning from one athlete in Rome ’60 and another today and they say the same thing. Romanticism prevails despite the dramatic situation in some countries. The day that aura and those principles disappear, the Games will no longer be relevant.
Speaking of conflicts, on a different scale, do you regret having wasted so much energy on the Olympic project in the Pyrenees, in which Catalonia and Aragon did not mix well?
I was very disappointed. Those Games were intended for Catalonia and Aragon, it was a project that went beyond sport, that was going to regenerate the Pyrenees, that was going to bring investment, jobs and an improvement in the lives of many people. A decision based on lies cut all that short. Neither I nor anyone else will be able to understand the reason for those lies.
Did Javier Lambán lie?
He already knows who he is and I don’t even want to say his name.
At least sport relaxes…
If you don’t practice it, no matter how old you are, it’s very difficult for you to be able to interpret when an athlete comes to you and tells you his story. If you don’t remember what it’s like to suffer and sweat, if you don’t put on your sports clothes…
Tell me which athlete has impressed you the most in your life. For once, let him not be Spanish.
He was sitting in this office. Usain Bolt. He was like an alien. And he taught me a lesson. He told me “everyone says how good I am and nobody asks me how many hours I train”. He is the only foreigner I can put on a par with the Spanish. Look at our Carolina Marín. Badminton champion! And Javier Fernández, skating! What Spain does is inexplicable.
Source: www.lavanguardia.com
