Spain's Paralympians smash medal record at Paris 2024
Friday, September 13, 2024
Team Spain has smashed its own record medal-count and broken the 40 barrier for the first time.
Spanish triathlete Susana Rodríguez (right) with her guide Sara Pérez (left) winning one of their country's seven Paralympic gold medals (all photos by EFE)
After netting 31 medals in Rio 2016, the post-pandemic Paralympics set another national best for Spanish competitors – the haul of 36 from Tokyo 2020 represented the country's highest figure to date.
A last-minute silver for Alberto Suárez in the marathon brought the Paris 2024 total up to 40 – which included seven golds – and saw Spain shine most of all in swimming, athletics, triathlon and cycling.
Swimming remains the country's strongest discipline, with 15 medals, followed by cycling and athletics with eight each, and four for triathlon.
Spanish Olympic and Paralympic competitors typically have a greater battle on their hands than those of their neighbouring countries, given that government funding is very scarce – the majority have day-jobs – unlike the UK, second from top in the medal count after China, where candidates at the Games receive National Lottery grants.
With the USA third from top, Spain was up against some powerful sporting nations, meaning its Paralympic sportspeople can be justly proud of coming 16th in the medal total overall.
Read more at thinkSPAIN.com
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