Maica García, the Olympic champion and veteran water polo star, has officially ended her 32-year tenure with CN Sabadell after the club declined to renew her contract following her maternity leave.
Reporting indicates that the departure comes after a career spanning more than three decades with her lifelong club, punctuated by a gold medal at the Paris Olympic Games. According to exclusive interviews published by El Periódico, García stated that she had anticipated her contract would automatically extend under Spanish labor laws governing pregnancy, but instead received a termination notice from the club’s human resources department.
The Contract Dispute and Legal Framework
The core of the dispute centers on the timing of García’s pregnancy during the 2025–2026 season and the provisions outlined in Royal Decree 1006, which governs professional sports employment in Spain. According to coverage by El Periódico, contracts for female athletes who are pregnant during their final year are designed to automatically prolong into the subsequent season.
García maintained that she expected her agreement to roll over through August 31, allowing her time to return to competitive play following the birth of her child. Instead, she received a telephone call from human resources last Wednesday notifying her of her immediate dismissal, followed swiftly by an official notification of deregistration from Spain’s social security administration.
Reflections on Maternity and Club Support
Reflecting on her exit, García noted a stark contrast between the initial support she received during her pregnancy and the administrative actions that followed. Because water polo is a contact sport, she took an early leave for occupational risk reasons shortly after celebrating her Olympic triumph in Paris.
During that phase, she acknowledged receiving support from physiotherapists, physical trainers, and club staff who assisted with her prenatal care and pelvic floor recovery. However, once she gave birth and sought to re-enter the water to prepare for the new campaign, she was informed that CN Sabadell had alternative plans for the roster.
Next Steps for the Olympic Champion
Following the abrupt termination of her employment, García has enlisted a legal team to evaluate her options and determine her next professional moves. Representatives for CN Sabadell have declined to issue public statements regarding the matter when contacted by reporters.
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