Spain, generational change and relay that almost doubled the number of Tokyo in Paris

Three years ago, the Spanish swimming team Went to Tokyo Olympics with nine athletes in the pool. SA Paris will do so with sixteenalmost double.

Spain has finally found its way through the years of generational change. Of the nine in Tokyo, only two, Hugo González and África Zamoranofaced the complete cycle towards Paris in full marks. Damages Later (Mireia Belmonte and his shoulders are the clearest case) and Personal needs In others, they are only two causes and one Jessica Vall two damn hundredths away of the Olympic dream has real options in Paris.

There, at that point, where it is worth making a point to recognize the figure of many athletes who have supported national swimming for many years. The unmatched legacy of Mireia throughout his career. that of the other Melanie Costa who lived with due respect in retirement at his home in Palma de Mallorca. That of the eternal competitiveness of Jessica to create opportunities that seemed impossible months ago, despite the vagaries of the stopwatch. One of the Marina García or Jimena Pérez, always maintaining their fight for the top positions against rivals of all ages. One of the Lidón Muñoz and ‘Joanllu’ Pons in a cycle where they prioritize other professional aspects. That of a Nico GarciaOlympic finalist in Tokyo, who did not find good feelings in this cycle.

Without many pillars of that generation, Spain knows how to find a way to, at least, build another base. Something that seems obligatory. Because the first step to grow from the bottom is to find something to support yourself, to build a medium level to create a bigger team. The growth of young swimmers and the commitment to relays allowed this growth in advertisements. Medals are another matter, because only Hugo arrived in Paris as a leader, champion and aspiring dreamer.

In other words, there is still a long way to go, but the first goal of growth has been achieved. Eight swimmers qualified individually for the Games, almost identical to those achieved for Tokyo. Is about Hugo (100 and 200 back and 200 freestyle; as well as 4×100 freestyle), Sergio de Celis (100 free; 4×100 and 4×100 styles also free), Carlos Garach (800 free and 1500 free; 4×200 also free), Mario Mollá (100 butterfly; as well as 4×100 freestyle and 4×100 medley), Arbidel González (200 butterflies), Carmen Weiler (100 backstroke and 200 backstroke), Africa Zamorano (200 back) and Emma Carrasco (200 and 400 styles).

It is unfair to forget about the unclassified number Estella Tonrath (with a minimum of 200 backstrokes but not for being third Spanish), Jessica and his 200 breaststroke or Laura Cabanesalso a stone’s throw from Paris. Check out the three Spaniards with the lowest two places at stake in that 200 backstroke This is another anomaly, cruel to Estella, from the Spanish Open, but it allowed us to see three candidates at least many years later.

Hugo and Africa This time, they will serve as veterans of a team that is witnessing a generational change. The two of them faced each other third Olympic event and they do it surrounded by debutantes. Because, in addition to his six teammates in individual events, the great key to the jump in Spanish swimming volume is the bet on relays.

Almost forgotten in previous cycles, it allowed many swimmers to join the Olympic wheel. The Games will allow the debut of Luis Dominguez (4×100 free and 4×200 free), Ferran Julia (4×200 free), Carlos Coll (4×100 styles) and Maria Daza, Alba Herrero, Paula Juste and Ainhoa​​​​Campabadal (4×200 free). Special recognition is due Cesar Castro, qualified for Rio 2016 and withdrawn from the Games due to a serious injury, eleven hundred away from the minimum 200 free for Tokyo and finally Olympic in the 4×100 free and 4×200 free in Paris after many years of searching for it . He will finally fulfill his dream of becoming an Olympian. An Olympic dream where Spain wants to improve as a team.