It's not really Spain's time. Although the national football team has just become a legend by winning the third consecutive international trophy (Euro 2008-2012, World Cup 2010), the Iberian country is not approaching the great Olympic event in London in the best way, which should at least in theory sanction this that has been seen for years now: the great domination (sometimes a little suspicious) of the Red Furies in more and more disciplines. Enough to give hope for a record of medals, for a nation that has never really been an Olympian: she won only 113 medals in the Summer Olympics (against 521 in Italy), with a maximum of 22 in the Barcelona '92 edition.
The emblem of the Olympics that is being born crooked, in addition to the continuous controversies on doping which have also seen the disqualification of one of the symbolic athletes, the cyclist Alberto Contador, is the story of Rafael Nadal, national hero and designated standard-bearer for the inaugural ceremony on the 27th evening. It was already understood at Wimbledon that it wasn't a very lucky period for the Majorcan tennis player, when he suffered a sensational elimination even in the second round by the unknown Czech Lukas Rosol. Nadal could have sought redemption on the London grass itself (the tennis tournament is in fact played in the Wimbledon club), but he had to give up due to physical problems. Precisely, for the flare-up of a tendonitis in the left knee.
"I'm not in a position to take the field, it is one of the saddest moments of my life – said Nadal, who evidently also says goodbye to the dream of being a standard-bearer -. I have to think about my teammates and the good of Spanish sport, I can't be selfish and I have to let another teammate of mine play who has better preparation and is in the conditions to play. There couldn't have been a more special moment than being the flag bearer of Spain at the opening ceremony – added a heartbroken Rafa -, you can imagine how difficult this decision was”.
It is evident that in addition to the shock of finding themselves without the designated standard-bearer, for Spain, an almost certain medal also vanishes (Nadal is the reigning Olympic champion). But unfortunately for the subjects of King Juan Carlos bad luck did not stop there: the number two for the role of standard bearer was the cyclist Samuel Sanchez, also already gold in Beijing 2008 and leading man of the two-wheeled national team, also among the most likely medals. However, Sanchez was injured in the Tour, and he too forfeited.
Now Spain clings to sailor Iker Fernandez, former champion in Athens and Beijing, and again favorite in the 49er class. And sailing, coincidentally, is precisely the sport that in a century and more of the Olympic Games has given the Roja the most satisfaction, with 17 medals of which 11 gold. With the desire for new triumphs set, the Invencible Armada returns to its first love.
