The Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, has received in audiences the two soldiers who will be part of the Spanish delegation that will compete in the Paris Olympic Games that begin on July 26. “Behind you will be all of Spain,” Robles encouraged. These are, specifically, Carlos López Arévalo, corporal of the Army, and Francisco Garrigós Rosa, sergeant of the Air and Space Army, who have qualified in canoeing and judo respectively and who were received this Wednesday by the minister along with 17 other high-level athletes members of the Armed Forces. In her speech, Robles invited the athletes to “look at the flag the night before” to “remember that all of Spain will be” behind them. Likewise, she took the opportunity to remember that, regardless of what happens at the Olympic Games, they will have “the gold medal of affection, love and recognition from the Ministry of Defense and all the Armed Forces.” Corporal Carlos Arévalo, assigned to the Príncipe No. 3 regiment of Asturias, already won a silver medal in the k4 500 canoeing discipline in the last Tokyo Games, he has been European Champion and, on two occasions, World Champion. For his part, reservist sergeant Francisco Garrigós has been World Champion in Judo, within the category of less than 60 kilos and has won world bronze, three gold medals, one silver and three bronze in the European championships. In addition, he will participate in the World Military Judo Championships to be held in Uzbekistan in October. NEW COMPREHENSIVE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SPORTS PLAN The Undersecretary of Defense, Adoración Mateos Tejada, also participated in the hearing, announcing the upcoming publication of the Comprehensive Physical Activity and Sports Plan that will include all the Ministry of Defense measures aimed at promote sports and a culture of physical preparation and health. “Sports practice is one of the pillars of the training and preparation of members of the Armed Forces,” highlighted the undersecretary. RECOGNITION OF EXAMPLES OF IMPROVEMENT At the event, tribute was paid to soldier Isabel Fernández Jiménez, recognizing a life dedicated to Paralympic sport and as an example of personal improvement. “Isabel, every day you give us a lesson in strength, in self-improvement. What you have done, how you face your reality, your daily life every day, how nothing is put in front of you: your life is whatever you set your mind to.” “Robles highlighted. This Army soldier has been European Para-Karate Champion four times and World Champion in Para-Power-Lifting three times.
