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In Tokyo,

Alejandro Blanco

awaits

the start of an Olympic Games that he had imagined very different. Because of the place and the situation. It was the 2020 Games, the candidacy to which the president of the Spanish Olympic Committee gave himself to be held in Madrid. It was the appointment of desire and, today, it is the cursed appointment. It will be the 2020 Games held in 2021, the Covid Games, without an audience, without a soul, in a dark Japan, fearful of everything, including athletes. The largest and most anticipated sports competition will take place in exceptional conditions.

They are the Games against all odds. Is it the right thing to do? These Games are going to be held despite all the difficulties they have gone through and I think that this has to be a message to the world, as it is the most global event. It has a special meaning and it is that if we set ourselves a goal, we achieve it. As I was saying, they can be a beacon for the final battle in this fight against the pandemic, which is not over yet. It is true that they will be different Games, of course, marked by mobility restrictions and controls, but it will not be anything very different from what athletes already know, because they have been competing in that way for a year, whether in their leagues, tournaments or World and European of diverse specialties. The society of the organizing country has opposed.Does it make sense to celebrate them that way? Which is the reason? Money? In my opinion, athletes come before money, and it is because of them, in the first place, that the effort is made to celebrate them. Then there is the financial part, of course. It is important, because the survival of many international and even national federations depends on the payment of the television rights of the Games, in addition, of course, of the national Olympic committees. Not to celebrate them in Tokyo would have been a disaster, the ruin for the sport, but if they are done it is because the protection of health is guaranteed. It will be painful not to see an audience, first of all for the athletes, but it is the reality at the moment, as we have already seen with other empty stadiums. Spain comes with the largest team after Barcelona 92.That has not diminished despite the pandemic. Spain goes with those who have won to compete, let's not forget that there are minimums to attend. We moved 321 athletes to Tokyo. More athletes does not always mean more medal expectations. It means merits achieved in the toughest Olympic cycle that has ever existed. As a year lasted, there were doubts about whether some athletes would make it or not, but there we have, for example,

Pau Gasol

, who has made a tremendous effort to be in the Games. He has returned to play at a high level for Barcelona, ​​after two years injured, due to being in Tokyo. He is someone special for our sport, and that is why we are going to support his candidacy to enter the Assembly of the International Olympic Committee, in the quota of athletes. On the other hand, Rafael Nadal will not be there. We respect his decision, like that of any other. We are not going to say what his absence means, not only because of the medals that he would surely get, as he has already done, but also because of what his presence means for other athletes. No one has made such an impact on an Olympic Village. In Tokyo we are going to miss him for many reasons, not only on the track. On this occasion, then, is it not appropriate to talk about the roof of Barcelona, ​​the 22 medals? It is a record that will be broken,Although we can't say when The 2008 economic crisis hit sports, especially the federation, in such a way that resources were greatly reduced. We have saved the ADO in these cycles, but with decreases. I want to say that in this context, Spanish sport maintained the level in the Games, in London and Rio, and with an incredible role for women, a fact that also speaks very well of the progress in Spanish sport and society. to give a forecast. I prefer to say that we are going with many possibilities of medals and diplomas (classified among the first eight). We are, for example, the fourth country in team sports. The first, of course, is Japan. Of the rest, only the United States and Australia surpass us. Football arrives with some players who played the European Championship,which has prompted complaints from coaches like Ronald Koeman about Pedri's presence. Isn't that too much of an effort? He's been selected by his federation like everyone else. They are the ones that set the criteria. The only thing that I have verified is everyone's enthusiasm for being at the Games, a unique occasion. The soccer team is, for sure, among those that can give us joy. He has played at a very high level. I have a lot of faith.Tokyo comes after a recent change in the Ministry. José Manuel Rodríguez Uribes leaves, with whom he was very well attuned, and Miquel Iceta arrives.Uribes gained the appreciation of the entire sports world in a short time. I have had two meetings with Iceta before traveling to Tokyo and she has expressed her desire to support the sport. After the Games it will be time to continue.These Games are one of those that Madrid lost in the last of its attempts to organize the big event. Is it a dream still alive or definitely abandoned? It is true, it was the one of 2020, which we lost in Buenos Aires ... I have spoken with Mayor Martínez-Almeida and he has expressed his desire that Madrid try again when the terms. I defend now as then that it is an ideal city, and the IOC knows it. The proof is that our model is the one that has been imposed for the future. Alejandro Blanco will lead this attempt or will already be one of his successors. You said you would leave office after Tokyo but the pandemic has changed everything. Have you reconsidered the option to continue? Many of the things we thought about two years ago have changed due to circumstances. After the Games, a new electoral process will open.Before, it will be the members of the COE Assembly who must speak out. If they ask me to continue, I will present myself to continue for one more cycle, which must be that of definitive recovery.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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