Behind every sports story there is a story staff, and that is what Olympic athletes Thaïs Henríquez, Juan Peralta and Javier Gómez shared on March 9 at the roundtable 'Testimonies of athletes who have participated in the Olympic Games', held at Civivox Iturrama.

Thaïs Henríquez, a member of the synchronized swimming team, said in her speech that "there is no competition that resembles the Olympic Games, where you can only breathe sport, where your country supports you, cares about your results...". Silver in Beijing and bronze in London, the swimmer also pointed out that throughout her degree program there has been no shortage of difficulties: "I am taller than average and the team has to be homogeneous, because the physical differences make you notice the desynchronization; that was a big obstacle". However, she ended up being a starter in London 2012, where the team won bronze.     

Obstacles were not lacking in the Olympic degree program of Javier Gómez, sports gymnast and participant in the London Olympic Games: "Many times there were walls that seemed insurmountable, but if you keep fighting you end up getting it, and that is one of the greatest satisfactions you can have in life". The effort of those years allowed him to reach the Olympic Village, where what struck him most was"how mediatic it is and the atmosphere of companionship that is breathed". He also added that "I knew I was there to enjoy, to live the moment; it was the best experience of my degree program sports". 

For his part, Juan Peralta, an Olympian from Navarre, has just qualified in London to participate in the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, in the modality track cycling. It will not be the first time he competes against the best athletes in the world: "although the goal they had for us was more Rio de Janeiro, I managed to qualify two places for the 2012 Olympic Games". It was an experience he described as unforgettable.

Olympic Sports Week

The Center of Olympic programs of study of the University of Navarra celebrates these days the Olympic Sports Week, in partnership with the City Council of Pamplona, the association Navarra de Clubs Collegiate Sports (ANACCOLDE), the Itaroa Shopping Center and Itaroa Cinemas.

The initiative aims to disseminate the values of sport, in addition to promoting the exchange of ideas on issues related to Olympism. To this end, various activities have been organized, in which both adults and children will be able to participate.