Pau Gasol regrets the position of the Aragonese government and the politicking of the candidacy

Former basketball player and member of Athletes Commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Pau Gasol has supported the decision of the Spanish Olympic Committee (COE) to withdraw the candidacy of the Spaniards to host the 2030 Winter Games, a project that, in his opinion, has become political.

In statements to Efe in conjunction with Pau’s presentation Gasol Academy of Santanderthe former Olympic athlete lamented the “differences” with the Government of Aragon that, as he defined, meant the candidacy was not advanced.

“Ultimately, when you present a joint candidacy, of the union, with a clear message and the union is not visible from the presidency of Aragondifferences are created and a candidacy is politicized, (it) falls ”, affirmed

In this regard, he praised the final decision of Spanish Olympic Committee: “For me, very wise decision of the COE, of Alexander White and of all the members in the face of saying: not so, let’s see if we can do it in another way “.

Later, at a press conference to showcase the academy, gasoline praised the “exemplary behavior” of Catalonia in negotiations for the Spanish candidacy to choose to organize the 2030 Games.

“Catalonia had an exemplary behavior, which I am proud of, the other party did not follow the same line and the candidacy, as prepared, collapsed ”, he added.

Member statements of IOC Athletes Commission occur one day after the COE decides to withdraw the candidacy of Pyrenees given the impossibility of placing Aragon and Catalonia in agreement to stage a joint project.

Also on Wednesday the president of COE, Alejandro Blancois accused of President of Aragon, Javier Lambán, of lying and “disrespect” to the technical agreement reached to reflect the Pyrenees ’candidacy for the 2030 Games.