Attacks in Catalonia: A Spanish Swimmer Sacrifices his Race to Honor the Victims of Barcelona

SWIMMING: Fernando Alvarez had asked the organizers of the competition to observe a minute of silence …

Fernando Alvarez is not the best known swimmer in the world, but is now the center of attention in Spain. Swimmer observed , all alone, a minute of silence in tribute to the victims of Thursday’s attacks in Catalonia. The scene took place on Saturday, while the Spaniard was to jump on the 200-meter breaststroke on the occasion of an international competition that was held in Budapest.

No time for a minute of silence

Representative of the swimming club of Cadiz, Fernando Alvarez asked the International Swimming Federation (FINA) that a minute’s silence was observed before the race, but his request was rejected. He reacted to this denial in the newspaper El Español:

They told me that this was not possible because we could not lose a minute. I did not move, like when they say to keep you in the army. I left a minute later. But I do not mind, I felt better than if I had won all the gold in the world.

Attacks claimed by the Islamic State killed 14 people and injured more than a hundred on Thursday in Barcelona and in the night from Thursday to Friday in the seaside resort of Cambrils.