Olot, Spain – Júlia Casadevall, a decorated figure skater with the CPA Olot club, is speaking out about a lack of institutional support for roller skating in Catalonia, despite consistent international success. The issue highlights a broader challenge faced by athletes in sports that don’t receive the same level of funding and recognition as more mainstream disciplines.
Casadevall, a sub-captain of the CPA Olot’s “Xou Gran” team, began skating at age five, inspired by a friend. “Thanks to her, I learned the values that skating provides and the reward of being a world champion,” she said. Her journey and that of her teammates, underscores a dedication often unseen and unrewarded.
After two seasons with the club’s junior show team, Casadevall has spent the last eight years competing at the senior level. Her record speaks for itself: four world championships and two silver medals in the last six seasons. These achievements, in any other sport, would almost certainly equate to elite status and significant support. However, for artistic skaters like Casadevall, recognition remains elusive.
The demands on these athletes are considerable. Training is primarily concentrated on weekends. “On Fridays, we have one hour of technique and three hours of preparing the season’s routine. On Saturdays, three hours on skates and one hour of flexibility in the morning, followed by another three hours of dance in the afternoon. And on Sundays, as competitions approach, we repeat the same schedule,” Casadevall explained. Adding to this rigorous schedule, skaters are required to complete at least two days of physical training during the week, submitting videos to their coaches as proof of their commitment. “We are young people studying in different cities, and this is the only way we find to maintain the required physical level,” she stated. In total, skaters dedicate approximately fifteen hours per week to training, spread across four or five days, excluding extra sessions before championships.
Despite the sacrifices and demands, the skaters lack formal recognition. “We need to be considered high-performance athletes. We are young women who plan our weeks around this sport. We achieve international medals year after year, and we want to receive support with our studies and, above all, with university admissions,” Casadevall explained. Currently, elite athletes in Catalonia are allocated reserved places at universities, easing the pressure of high entrance exam scores. However, this benefit is not extended to show skaters, despite their world championship titles.
The CPA Olot has taken steps to address this issue, securing the support of a university sports tutor for its skaters. “It’s reassuring because we can contact them to reschedule exams and assessments if they coincide with competitions,” Casadevall said. However, this support isn’t universally guaranteed. “The University of Girona recently implemented this more broadly, but some teammates studying elsewhere face significant difficulties.”
The feeling of institutional disinterest is palpable. “From above, they always advise us they are moving things along, but it never actually happens,” Casadevall lamented. According to her, it’s the clubs themselves that must persistently push for even small improvements. “The limited support we receive comes from the Olot City Council, the Girona Provincial Council, and local businesses. Beyond that, recognition disappears,” she said. “We are only known when we become world champions.”
This season, the CPA Olot and other Catalan roller skating clubs will continue to strive for world medals. Their efforts, dedication, and successes will shine within the arena. But outside, they will continue to wait for a response from the institutions.
Julia Casadevall’s story is a reminder that athletic achievement, even at the highest level, doesn’t automatically translate to support or recognition. It’s a call for greater investment in and appreciation for all sports, and for a system that values dedication and success regardless of the discipline.
The CPA Olot is scheduled to compete in the next major international competition in February. Fans can follow updates on the club’s official website and social media channels.
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