Madrid – A remarkable gathering of Spanish sporting excellence took place Wednesday at the headquarters of the Spanish Olympic Committee (COE), as Sanitas celebrated two decades of supporting athletes across the country. The event, marking 20 years of partnership between the healthcare company and the COE, brought together a constellation of Olympic and Paralympic stars, totaling 88 medals – 27 gold, 26 silver, and 35 bronze – a testament to the enduring power of collaboration and dedication.
Nineteen champions and medalists, including legends like Saúl Craviotto, Teresa Perales, María Pérez, Carolina Marín, Ona Carbonell, Oriol Cardona, and Ana Alonso, shared stories of their triumphs at an event hosted by Eli Pinedo, a bronze medalist with the Spanish national handball team at the 2012 London Olympics. Paloma del Río, a veteran voice of Spanish Olympic broadcasting for nearly four decades, highlighted the impressive collection of medals on display.
The celebration underscored the importance of sponsorship in sustaining the careers of Spanish athletes. Del Río playfully remarked to COE President Alejandro Blanco, “Alejandro, I hope the stage is secure because there’s a lot of metal here,” acknowledging the sheer volume of Olympic and Paralympic hardware present. Blanco, in turn, emphasized the strength of collective effort over individual achievement, stating, “There is no individual sport, it’s all a team. Values, rights, opportunities, dignity and above all, unity… No one achieves anything alone, and there can be no unity without opportunities for all and inclusion.” He added that “no other Olympic committee in the world could have a better photo than this.”
Among the celebrated athletes, recent victors Oriol Cardona and Ana Alonso stood out. Cardona’s gold medal in ski mountaineering at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games marked a historic achievement for Spain, ending a 54-year drought since Paquito Fernández Ochoa’s gold in Sapporo 1972. Alonso secured a bronze in the individual event and, alongside Cardona, another bronze in the mixed relay. “You have to be swift, quick, explosive and at the same time resistant,” Cardona explained, describing the demands of the relatively modern discipline. “The technical and tactical part is also important, with the descent and transitions, where you have to be very precise and move very quickly with your pulse at the limit. It’s a demanding sport in every way.” Alonso added, “Centiseconds matter a lot, and having the ability to be very agile during the race, when you are so tired, is what conditions the option of winning a medal.”
The event also provided a platform to discuss the importance of inclusivity in sport. Alberto Durán, President of the Spanish Paralympic Committee, called for increased resources to promote inclusive sports in schools, a crucial step in fostering future Paralympic athletes like Teresa Perales. Perales, the most decorated Paralympic athlete in history with 28 medals, equaling the record held by American swimmer Michael Phelps, spoke of “the feeling of freedom and the possibility of sharing experiences” as her most cherished reward.
Saúl Craviotto, Spain’s most decorated Olympian with six medals – two gold, two silver, and two bronze – in canoeing, highlighted “the feeling of belonging to a machine that rows towards a common goal” and the privilege “of making your people happy.” His achievements place him ahead of fellow canoeist David Cal (five medals), swimmer Mireia Belmonte, and track cyclist Joan Llaneras (four medals each).
Carolina Marín, a symbol of Spanish sport renowned for her world and European titles, as well as her Olympic gold in Rio 2016, embodies resilience. Marín’s ability to overcome multiple serious knee injuries, which sidelined her from the Tokyo 2020 Games and forced her withdrawal from the Paris 2024 semifinals, has become an inspiration. “I never doubted it for a moment. I wanted to keep playing with a broken knee in 2019 and also with that same broken knee in 2024,” she explained, adding that her greatest triumph is “the medal of affection” from the public.
Sanitas’ commitment extends beyond financial support. Since 2006, the company has served as the Official Medical Provider for the Spanish Paralympic Committee and is a key driver of the ADOP Plan (Support for Paralympic Objective), providing comprehensive medical care throughout the Paralympic cycle, focusing on prevention, health care, and injury recovery.
Carlos Jaureguizar, CEO of Sanitas and Bupa Europe and Latin America, emphasized the importance of healthcare in athletic performance and the company’s dedication to high-level sport and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. “For Sanitas, it is a pride to accompany athletes on their path to excellence. Their effort and their ability to overcome represent values that we fully share and that are very linked to healthcare and well-being,” he stated.
The celebration wasn’t just a seem back at past glories, but a reaffirmation of a continuing partnership. As Spanish athletes prepare for future competitions, the support of Sanitas, alongside the dedication of the COE and CPE, will undoubtedly play a vital role in their pursuit of success. The event served as a powerful reminder that behind every medal, there’s a team – a network of athletes, coaches, medical professionals, and sponsors – working together towards a common goal.
The next major event for many of these athletes will be the European Championships in their respective disciplines throughout the summer of 2026. Keep up-to-date with the latest news and schedules on the official websites of the Spanish Olympic Committee (https://www.coe.es/) and the Spanish Paralympic Committee (https://www.paralimpicos.es/).
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