One of the keys to the success of Alejandro Blanco as sports leader is his closeness with the protagonists. The head of the Olympic movement does not hide its great relationship with almost all the great athletes in the history of this country and the fact that they all consider the Spanish Olympic Committee Headquarters as their home.
The Galician draws breast and is not for less than one Athlete Attention Office that he is about to turn 20 and that, to some extent, summarizes what Alejandro Blanco does for his athletes. «The athlete is my first priority in this house and in all the actions I do every day. If we do not understand that we have to help the athlete is that we do not understand anything about the sport, ”specifies the leader.
For Alejandro Blanco, the key is to be close when he triumphs, but also when he is in a low moment and for that there is always the COE. «Athletes have seen, meaning and know that when you are triumphing everyone praises you and we are there to help them manage it. But I believe that when we are the most it is when those difficult moments arrive or when you have to make decisions that go beyond what sports practice is, ”he says.
The president of the COE feels very proud of the proximity he maintains with some of the greatest legends of Spanish sport as Rafa Nadal or Pau Gasol, which has been able to live his sports career In the front row. «I feel honored of the support and affection that they have shown me. And in the specific case you are talking about Pau or Rafa For me it is a great honor and a great learning to be every day or talk to them On the opportunities I have, ”he adds with a bit nostalgic tone.
«We have had a time of athletes that are unique. That is, I think that as much as we advance, Rafa Nadal is unique. Now we have a great player who is Alcaraz. There will be great basketball players, but Pau is unique. Mireia is unique, Carolina is unique, Lydia Valentín is unique. And so I could talk about many athletes. That is why we have their history. We have to turn them into a legend and remember that a moment of our life we had the opportunity to be with the best in the world, ”he says.
Blanco, however, is enjoying the trip and the generational relay that is being forged. «Now there is a generation of truly incredible young people and that without any doubt they will get many results for Spain. I would never compare with each other. They are different times. What we have had has been the great world references. I have fallen short talking about athletes such as David Cal or Saúl Craviotto, although Saul continues to compete. But we have had such great, so wonderful athletes. Ruth Beitia, for example. Now we have María Pérez, who has done what no one has done. That is, Spain is a country that plans very well. We have to think that the following generations will improve the results of the previous ones, but will never compare icon athletes like the ones we have had, ”ditch.
