Thirty-seven children and young adults with physical, visual, or cerebral palsy disabilities will gather this Saturday at the Centro de Alto Rendimiento in Madrid for a new ‘Draft Paralímpico‘. Organized by the Spanish Paralympic Committee with support from CaixaBank, the initiative aims to assess participants’ athletic abilities and guide them toward the sport that best matches their individual profiles.
Testing Athletic Potential in Madrid
The morning session at the Madrid high-performance facility features a series of physical tests and structured games designed to measure the participants’ functional capacities and aptitude. The athletes, ranging in age from 10 to 28, then transition into practical sports trials during the afternoon. According to organizers, attendees can test eight distinct disciplines: athletics, badminton, cycling, climbing, swimming, canoeing, table tennis, and triathlon.
The event forms part of the “Nuestra Próxima Estrella” program, an initiative spearheaded by CaixaBank to identify and nurture young athletic talent across Spain. The program structure is designed to match each participant’s specific physical profile with the most suitable adaptive sports discipline, expanding competitive pathways for athletes with disabilities.
Elite Mentorship and Institutional Support
Participants will also hear firsthand accounts from prominent figures in the Spanish Paralympic movement. The roster of guest athletes includes triathlete Susana Rodríguez, who won gold at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Games, alongside swimmer Beatriz Lérida and skier Javier Marcos.
The opening ceremony features institutional figures including Virginia Blázquez, deputy general director of Physical Activity and Sports Programs for the Community of Madrid; Francisco Botía, director of the Spanish Paralympic Committee; and Carlos Candeal, director of Institutional Banking for CaixaBank in Madrid.
National Expansion Schedule
The Madrid gathering marks a stop for the talent identification program this year. A previous session took place in Valladolid at the end of May, as documented by the Spanish Paralympic Committee. Following the Madrid event, the schedule continues with upcoming stops in Barcelona on October 24 and the Gran Canaria locality of Vecindario on November 21.
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