Dr. Nahuel Ivan Faedo
Assitant Professor at the University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia. His research interests include sports journalism and women in sports media. He is a member of the TRACTE (Audiovisual Translation, Communication, and Territory) research group and the SPRING research network.
Email: nahuelivan.faedo@uvic.cat
Twitter: @faedonahuel
In Paris 1924, Rosa Torras and Lilí Álvarez became the first Spanish women to participate in the Olympic Games. One hundred years later, women led the Olympic dream. For the first time in the history of Spanish sports, the delegation for Paris 2024 included more women than men—192 compared to 190.
However, it is important to note that since the inception of the Olympic Games, female athletes have faced significant challenges to secure their place in the competition. In Spain, as in other parts of the world, their participation in the Olympic Games has been progressively increasing over the years. After Paris 1924, women did not participate in the Olympics for more than 30 years. Spanish women made a comeback in Rome 1960 with 11 female participants, saw an increase in Moscow 1980, and peaked in Barcelona 1992 with 129 female athletes. That year, Miriam Blasco secured the first individual gold, and the women’s hockey team won the first team gold. In London 2012, women surpassed men in medals, earning 65% of Spain’s total. During the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, 143 female athletes competed, winning 9 of the 17 medals, including four golds. Notable achievements included Ruth Beitia’s individual gold and a silver for the rhythmic gymnastics team. At Tokyo 2020, 137 Spanish women participated and earned 7 medals.
During the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Spain had both triumphs and challenges in a variety of sporting disciplines, showcasing historic achievements and the emergence of new talent. The women’s water polo team achieved a historic first-ever triumph, winning gold in an exciting 11-9 victory over Australia. In addition to solidifying the team’s status as among the best in the world, this triumph was Spain’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in women’s water polo. Álvaro Martín and María Pérez won gold in the mixed race walking relay with a time of 2:50:31, surpassing Ecuador and Australia.
María Pérez also distinguished out in the 20 km walk, winning the silver medal with a timing of 1:13:36 and establishing herself as one of the top Spanish athletes. The women’s 3×3 basketball team came close to winning an unforgettable gold medal, but lost to Germany in the final with a tight 17-16. Thus, the Spanish team took silver against all odds in its debut at the Olympic Games. In tennis, Cristina Bucsa and Sara Sorribes won the bronze medal in women’s doubles after beating Karolína Muchová and Linda Nosková 6-2, 6-2. Also, the Spanish artistic swimming team won bronze in the team final.
However, not everything was a victory. Several Spanish athletes arrived with high expectations but failed to reach the podium. The rhythmic gymnastics team, Ana Peleteiro in athletics, Adriana Cerezo in taekwondo, María de Valdés in open water, and Carolina Marín in badminton, who suffered a serious injury at a crucial moment, were some of the athletes who fell just short of a medal. The women’s national football team, world champions with players who have won the last three Ballon d’Or (Alexia Putellas in 2021 and 2022 and Aitana Bonmatí in 2023), also disappointed by falling in the semifinals and finishing without a medal.
Despite these results, new promises emerged at these Games. Valeria Antolino, who qualified after a two-year break from trampoline competition, achieved the best result ever for a Spanish jumper at the Games. Leslie Romero, Spain’s first Olympic climber, and Águeda Marqués, who reached the athletics final and beat her personal best twice, also excelled in Paris. In beach volleyball, Tania Moreno and Daniela Álvarez earned a diploma by reaching the quarterfinals for the first time. Carmen Weiler, at just 19 years old, reached two semifinals and achieved her personal best performances.
In surfing, Nadia Erostarbe advanced to the quarterfinals. Judoka Laura Martínez finished fourth as one of the debutants on the Spanish team. Angela Martínez was tenth in open water, the best result in this event since London 2012. Mavi García, at the age of 40, was sixth in the cycling road race and came close to the medal. Naia Laso was seventh in park (skate) at the age of 15. The shooter Mar Molné fought until the end for the metal signing a perfect classification despite her young age. María Xiao and Álvaro Robles won the first diploma for Spanish table tennis.
In short, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will always be remembered by Spain. As mentioned at the beginning of this article, the Spanish Olympic delegation included more women than men for the first time in history. This achievement is a fundamental and hopeful change in female representation in an event as important as the Olympic Games. Although it is true that not all efforts resulted in medals won, the success lies in the progress and greater visibility of the female athletes. Each effort, competition and challenge overcome creates a legacy of perseverance and hope that will encourage future generations to dream big and achieve more.
