Spain's Sporting Success
Whether it's the wonderful climate, Spaniards' innate self confidence or simply exceptional coaching, Spain is one of the world's leading sporting nations and, with Madrid having recently emerged as one of the favourites to host the 2016 Olympic Games, it seems there has never been a better time to embrace sport the Spanish way.
While the failings of Spain's national football team are well documented (they are yet to win a major football tournament), the selección, as they are known, rarely fail to qualify for the big tournaments (unlike all of the Home Nations for the forthcoming Euro 2008) and are often among the favourites to win. Their time will surely come. However, football-mad as Spain may be, the country can still call upon a number of other sporting heroes as testaments to Spain's enduring sporting success.
Had Britain's Lewis Hamilton not choked on the final Formula 1 race of the 2006-7 season, Spain would no longer be able to boast the youngest ever Formula 1 World Champion. But choke he did and, as it stands, Spain's Fernando Alonso retains that accolade, for another season at least. In tennis, with the Swiss Roger Federer sweeping all before him, only one man can ever seriously hope to stand in his way - Majorca's Rafael Nadal. In fact, on a clay surface it is Nadal, not Federer, who is held up as THE man to beat.
Likewise in Basketball - a sport played passionately throughout the globe - it is Spain, not the USA, who are world champions, led by the towering, talented and charismatic Pau Gasol, whose face adorns everything from credit cards to cheese snacks. There are numerous other fields where Spain competes at the highest level, such as volleyball, hockey, handball, water polo and superbikes. And the last two winners of the Tour de France? That's right, Spaniards - Oscar Pereiro and Alberto Contador. With three Spaniards ranked among the top 10 male tennis players in the world, the argument is irrefutable - Spain produces exceptional sportsmen and women. But how?
A combination of national pride, an inviting climate, excellent facilities and supreme self confidence ensures young Spaniards are given a head start in almost any sport. Still riding high off the back of the successful 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, the whole nation has embraced sport and seen the benefits it can bring, be they physically, emotionally or financially. Should Spain be awarded the Olympic Games for only the second time in its history, other nations should watch out - there might just be no stopping them!
If you are sports mad and are travelling to Spain, you really will be spoilt for choice for things to do. Kids are especially well catered for - take a look at the links below to see which sporting activities are available in your region.
* Madrid will be up against bids from Prague, Tokyo, Chicago, Rio de Janeiro, Doha and Baku in the race for the 2016 Olympics.
While the failings of Spain's national football team are well documented (they are yet to win a major football tournament), the selección, as they are known, rarely fail to qualify for the big tournaments (unlike all of the Home Nations for the forthcoming Euro 2008) and are often among the favourites to win. Their time will surely come. However, football-mad as Spain may be, the country can still call upon a number of other sporting heroes as testaments to Spain's enduring sporting success.
Had Britain's Lewis Hamilton not choked on the final Formula 1 race of the 2006-7 season, Spain would no longer be able to boast the youngest ever Formula 1 World Champion. But choke he did and, as it stands, Spain's Fernando Alonso retains that accolade, for another season at least. In tennis, with the Swiss Roger Federer sweeping all before him, only one man can ever seriously hope to stand in his way - Majorca's Rafael Nadal. In fact, on a clay surface it is Nadal, not Federer, who is held up as THE man to beat.
Likewise in Basketball - a sport played passionately throughout the globe - it is Spain, not the USA, who are world champions, led by the towering, talented and charismatic Pau Gasol, whose face adorns everything from credit cards to cheese snacks. There are numerous other fields where Spain competes at the highest level, such as volleyball, hockey, handball, water polo and superbikes. And the last two winners of the Tour de France? That's right, Spaniards - Oscar Pereiro and Alberto Contador. With three Spaniards ranked among the top 10 male tennis players in the world, the argument is irrefutable - Spain produces exceptional sportsmen and women. But how?
A combination of national pride, an inviting climate, excellent facilities and supreme self confidence ensures young Spaniards are given a head start in almost any sport. Still riding high off the back of the successful 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, the whole nation has embraced sport and seen the benefits it can bring, be they physically, emotionally or financially. Should Spain be awarded the Olympic Games for only the second time in its history, other nations should watch out - there might just be no stopping them!
If you are sports mad and are travelling to Spain, you really will be spoilt for choice for things to do. Kids are especially well catered for - take a look at the links below to see which sporting activities are available in your region.
* Madrid will be up against bids from Prague, Tokyo, Chicago, Rio de Janeiro, Doha and Baku in the race for the 2016 Olympics.
Labels: spain, Sporting Success
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