The double world champions head the poster of the test scheduled for this Saturday
18 may 2024 . Updated at 05:00 a.m.
The Spanish distance runners Maria Perez y Alvaro Martinwho won the World Cup last year in the 20 and 35 kilometer walk, stand out as headliners of a luxury participation of the A Coruña International Marching Grand Prize, which takes place this Saturday. The legendary Cantons route hosts the women’s race at five this afternoon and, two hours later, the men’s race. 124 men and 91 women are registered for the competition.
María Pérez: «The Spanish march is always in a moment of splendor»
María Pérez García (Granada, 1996), double world walking champion in 20 and 35 kilometers, faces her first test in A Coruña after suffering a tear in the sacrum that was diagnosed last November. She arrives fully prepared, but eager to compete on a circuit in which she began to ride in 2012.
—What do you think of the A Coruña test?
—It is an honor to be in A Coruña for another year. Los Cantones is a test of a very high level and with great participation. Not many events have this cast of athletes, and A Coruña is very dedicated to its event and welcomes it in an extraordinary way.
—Do you remember your first time in Los Cantones?
—It’s been 14 years now. The first time was in 2012 and, since then, there have been very few editions that I have not been able to attend. It is an event that I am quite fond of and also a lot of respect for the number of great athletes who attend each year.
—Can it be a good test for the big summer events?
—In my case I come from a tough injury, with a faster recovery than everyone thought, and now I am in full preparation to arrive at the Games as strong as possible. I don’t arrive like other times in A Coruña, but it is my first and only appointment in the 20 kilometer walk, because this year I think I should compete less due to that injury.
—How was that ailment in the sacrum and how is it?
—After the World Cup I noticed a lot of pain and in November they detected it. Until the beginning of February I was not doing anything and I lost a lot of preseason time, and now I hope to face the season in the best possible shape.
—Is the Spanish march in a new moment of splendor?
—The Spanish march has always been in a moment of splendor and has never gone down. Hopefully the Tokyo result can be repeated and improved, but no federation has three fourth places in a Games. Walking is a discipline that has always obtained great results and that deserves great respect and to maintain the legacy that those who started this path have left us.
—What did last season’s double world title mean to you?
-Something unexpected. To be honest, I saw it as much more feasible in 35 than in 20, although I had not prepared for 35, because I have always said that my discipline is 20. It was something that allowed me to rediscover myself and the specialty.
Álvaro Martín: «I feel like the rival to beat for the two golds from last summer»
Álvaro Martín Uriol (Llerena, Badajoz, 1992) already has his eye on Paris, but the double world champion of the 20 and 35 kilometer walk wants to take advantage of the Los Cantones test as a test in a year in which he is only looking for a peak so.
—What does the Los Cantones test mean in the world march?
—He has been going to Los Cantones since 2013, except for the year of the pandemic. For me it has always been a very important test and it is highly valued by the International Federation.
—How is the circuit, the atmosphere, how to live…?
—The circuit speaks for itself. Virtually all walkers from all countries want to come to the competition, a world record for women’s 20 kilometers has been broken and the atmosphere is unbeatable.
—What are your objectives for A Coruña?
—This year, due to the proximity of the European Championship in Rome, there are not so many European rivals, but there are Asian and American rivals, and then we are going to measure how these rivals are doing, which we are going to meet later in Paris.
—How is the season focused?
—We have only achieved one goal and one peak of form, which is the Olympic Games, and we are progressing. Just when the Cantons test passes, we will begin the specific preparation for the Games. This Saturday I will not be at my best level, but I am going to try to get everything I can, because I want to do a great job in A Coruña.
—Is your sight set on the Olympic medal?
—I think I feel like the rival to beat for the two gold medals last summer. The Spanish race has just finished three-quarters in the last Olympic Games and we will now hope to win a medal.
—Things couldn’t have gone better in the World Cup.
—The circumstance of the four golds occurred. I think that what happened to María was expected and what happened to me was much more difficult, but it happened and was achieved in two historic days for Spanish athletics. We are going to try to repeat it this year.
—Has the Spanish march recovered all its splendor?
—I would say that we have never lost it. It is true that we have always been asked for what we have resisted, which is a medal in the Olympic Games, the last one being in 2004, but we have always been close. We have swept the European and World Championships and we just need to sweep the Games.
—With present and future.
—We cannot stay in the short term, we have to look at our colleagues who are coming from behind. Aldara Meilán herself has great potential.
2024-05-18 03:00:00
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