Jesús Ángel García Bragado (Madrid, October 17, 1969) is the only athlete who has been able to participate in eight editions of the Olympic Games. A historical record that makes him worthy of the second chapter of the documentary series CAMPEONES de HONOR, made by SPORT-Prensa Ibérica with the collaboration of the telephone company HONOR. Chuso, as everyone knows him, who retired at the age of 51 after Tokyo’2020, is an example of unprecedented longevity in the world of sports. That is why, throughout his long sporting career, he has earned the nickname ‘Marble Man’.
“I can consider myself privileged,” says Jesús Ángel García Bragado. “The march has given me everything. He has allowed me to go very far, with a very long sporting career, and he has allowed me to earn a living,” acknowledges the athlete who participated in his first Olympic Games, in Barcelona’92, at only 21 years old. He never managed to win an Olympic medal, although he came very close on occasion: “I am a bit nonconformist and I would have liked to have had a better record. But, looking back and seeing my two Olympic diplomas and my four World Cup medals, I have to admit that I feel very satisfied with my career, having been able to compete for so many years in the elite… Over time, you value everything more.” , acknowledges the walker who started in this discipline when he began to study at the Tajamar school: “I was a winner, I wanted to win, and I saw in walking an opportunity to stand out.”
ITS EIGHT GAMES
Reviewing the Olympic career of Jesús Ángel García Bragado is also reviewing the history of sport and emotions. “In Barcelona were my first Games and I finished in tenth place. It didn’t feel like much to me, because we were all very excited about this Olympic event, but I was only 21 years old…”, he says. In Atlanta’96, in his physical prime, at 26 years old, he was greatly disappointed when he had to retire: “I was in great shape… but I failed.” And in Sydney’2000 he made a serious mistake: “Overtraining”. He finished twelfth. His best results were in Athens ’04 (fifth) and Beijing ‘2008 (fourth). “In the Beijing Games I was able to win a medal because two of the athletes who reached the podium had used doping substances,” says García Bragado, who feels morally a medalist, although the two cheaters were not disqualified as happened in other disciplines.
Barcelona’92 were García Bragado’s first Olympic Games / SPORT
He arrived at London’2012 physically very touched. At 42 years old, he had undergone hip surgery and was barely able to finish the race in 17th place. “I felt unable to continue, but I immediately started thinking about Rio’2016.” Everyone believed that they were going to be his last Games. Hence, the extraordinary tribute that he received, from the entire Spanish delegation, in the Olympic village. “It was one of the most exciting moments of my career. Seeing so many athletes applauding me in an endless hallway…,” he remembers. He finished the race in twentieth position and it already sounded like he was going to retire. But he opted to go to Tokyo’2020 due to the IOC’s decision to eliminate the 50 kilometer walk test – “my test” – from the Olympic program. “It seemed crazy to me to train for Besós at 50 years old, but I was so clear about my goal that the bad thoughts only lasted a few seconds.” In the eighth and last Games he finished in 35th place. But that was the least of it. He had made history. For all eternity…
Tokyo’2020 were García Bragado’s eighth and last Olympic Games / SPORT
Although his career has been marked by these eight Olympic Games, his greatest successes were achieved in the World Cups. He highlights, for his position, the gold medal in Stuttgart’93. But he almost has a better memory of the 2009 Berlin silver, which he won at the age of 40, an unprecedented event that he was able to celebrate in front of the Brandenburg Gate, very excited with his two daughters.
Today, García Bragado dedicates himself to podiatry, his profession, but he continues to train almost every day. “If I don’t do it, I’m missing something.” And he also directs young kids, who consider him a legend… This is how Álvaro Martín, the double world champion in Budapest, sees him: “He is an idol. An incredible person.” A CHAMPION of HONOR.
2023-11-28 08:51:06
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