Spain has been boosted by Cuban talent for the European Championship in Rome

Rome will be the European athletics event of great additions and notable absences. The Royal Spanish Athletics Federation announced the list of athletes who will go to the Italian capital with 69 members, in which the world walking champions do not appear. Maria Perez and Alvaro Martin, two casualties were announced prior to victory in the Games. On the contrary, the team is strengthened by two additions of Cuban origin who aspire for everything in any international competition, Jordan Diaz in the triple jump and Yulenmis Aguilar in throwing the spear.

At 23 years old, Jordan Diaz He is destined to become the great triple jump sensation of the next decade and is favorite to beat Jonathan Edwards’ historic record of 18.29m which has remained in force since 1995. Currently, he has Spanish record triple at 17.87m, a mark that at the Tokyo 2020 Games would be enough for him to win a silver medal. At the age of 16 he had already jumped more meters (17) than him and became the Under-18 and Under-20 world champion. Dangerous with the Cuban systemdecided to leave his home country during the concentration in Europe to prepare for the Tokyo 2020 Games and began to live in Guadalajara – with a Spanish passport – to prepare with a legend as him. Ivan Pedrosoalso coach of Yulimar Rojas and Ana Peleteiro.

In the past Munich Europeanachieved by Spain 10 medals, four gold, three silver and three bronze. Successes are Asier Martinez in 110 fences, Mariano Garcia at 800m, Miguel Angel Lopez on the 35km march and Rachel Gonzalez also on the 35km march. “The priority is that all the athletes we will bring to Rome are highly competitive,” said Spanish coach José Peiró when announcing the squad list. “If they go to Rome, it will be because we know they are good and that will be asked of them, taking into account the level of each athlete in their event,” he added.

Mariano Garcia, who was one of the 800 selected, will not be able to defend his continental title and will be dropped as a precaution after suffering a minor blow at the Andújar Meeting. The Murcian, who missed the Tokyo 2020 Games due to an untimely last-minute appendicitis, wants to bet everything to make his Olympic debut in Paris 2024.

Without María Pérez and Álvaro Martín in progress
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The two great absentees in Italy will be world walking champions Maria Perez and Alvaro Martinwho appeared in the last World Cup Budapest with four golds at 20 and 35 kilometers. In Rome, where only the 20 kilometer distance will be fought – like in Palaro – there will be Cristina Montesinos, Laura Garcia-Caro, Rachel Gonzalez, Paul McGrath, Diego García Carrera and Alberto Amezcua.

Too much Maria Perez number Alvaro Martin They set aside participation in the European Championship to focus on their Olympic preparation and medal winning, their great goal for this season which, by extension, is the great dream of a lifetime. Along with the two world champions, the walkers who also have a guaranteed place in Paris are the Catalans Cristina Montesinos and Paul McGrath as the current champions of Spain.

The other areas – one of each gender – have to play in between Amezcua, Garcia Carrera, Garcia-Caro and González, and Rome will be key in making the final decision. The march will make a long-awaited return to Rome as the event will once again finish inside the Olympic Stadium, after 19 laps around the Foro Italico to determine the champions, something that has not happened in a major championship since when Beijing World Cup 2015. The big favorites for victory are the local stars Massimo Stano and Antonella Palmisanocurrent Olympic 20km champions.