MADRID, 22 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Gallur Municipal Sports Center, in Madrid, is preparing to host this Friday (6:45 p.m.) the last stop of the World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold, “the highest quality event at an international level” that is organized in Spain “on a regular basis” and with a “global significance”, which will be attended by 125 athletes.
“It is the highest quality event that we organize internationally in Spain on a regular basis, with global significance. It promotes athletics and the Madrid brand, it will be seen in more than 120 countries in the world,” highlighted the president of the Royal Federation. Spanish Athletics Federation (RFEA), Raúl Chapado, during the presentation of the event in the sports facility itself.
The head of national athletics recalled that “12 world medalists, an Olympic medalist, a world record holder and the best Spanish athletes” will pass through the Madrid tartan, with up to six European champions.
And they will do it this Friday from 6:45 p.m., in the seventh and last stop of the World Athletics Indoor Tour in its Gold category, an event that will also be the last on the international calendar before the World Indoor Championships, which will be held in Glasgow (Scotland). ) from March 1 to 3.
The Madrid facility will be the focus of attention for the indoor track, renamed 'short track', thanks to the presence of a dozen world medalists, including double Olympic medalist Tom Walsh in shot put and world record holder Devynne Charlton, leader of the year in 60 meter hurdles.
An event that fuels Madrid's status as “the great capital of sports”, as highlighted by the Sports Councilor of the Madrid City Council, Sonia Cea. “We compete as a team with the Community, we are working as one, and that translates into important events that put Madrid on the map of major competitions in the world,” she added.
“For Madrid it is always a pleasure to have you in Gallur and Vallehermoso, as if it were your home. We have a great commitment to major sports competitions, and athletics, the basis of great sports, could not be missing. I hope this relationship lasts a long time” , Cea wished.
The mayor also showed off the Vallehermoso Stadium, a facility that will host the European Team Athletics Championships in 2025. “We want it to be the great temple of athletics in Madrid and all of Spain. We are putting a lot of love into the stadium,” she said. .
And this tournament arouses a lot of enthusiasm in the authorities of the region. “We will work side by side with the RFEA and the City Council, Madrid deserves this event with capital letters. We are going to fight for it to be the best European Championship. Athletics is one of our fundamental axes,” said the general director of the Community of Madrid , Alberto Tomé.
In addition, the councilor of the Latina District, Alberto González, showed his “pride” for having the “luxury” of enjoying Gallur as a facility. “We are a district that exudes sport. All the staff do a magnificent job every day, it is a unique facility in Madrid and an example of the great work that is done at a sporting level. We are not going to stop working so that everyone can enjoy it. world,” he said.
Spanish athlete Marta García will compete in Gallur, holder of the Spanish records for 2,000, 3,000 and 5,000 meters in short track since this year. “I perceive this change that I have made, now I am a mature and professional athlete. My life and my 24 hours a day are athletics and getting to the competition as best as possible,” she confessed.
“If everything goes well I hope to achieve my personal best in the 1,500 and do a good job tomorrow. It will be an interesting race, everything is quite tight, there is a very high level. I don't have any personal best in my head, but I think that in a race I can do it quickly, I wanted a 'milqui', I didn't want to be left wanting, especially being in Madrid,” he added.
Adrián Ben, European Indoor Champion in 800 meters in Istanbul, will not miss it either. “The 800 is the highest level test in Spain, we have been like this for many years. It makes us grow in tests like tomorrow's. Tomorrow we will put on a good show, that's what our coach has asked us to do,” he commented.
IN ONE WEEK, THE WORLD CUP IN GLASGOW
Chapado also evaluated the team designated by José Peiró for the Indoor World Championships in Glasgow from March 1 to 3, a championship for which Spain has “the best team” that could attend “at the moment.” “The trajectory of competitiveness and dedication of the Spanish athletes, beyond the medals, must be valued,” said the president of the RFEA, who predicted “surprises” in Scotland.
Furthermore, he admitted that “any athlete” already thinks and is “focused” on the Paris Games. “We come from exciting championships and seasons, but it is probably the team of the last 30 years with the most possibilities,” she said.